EP4176071A1 - Biomaterial comprising bacterial cellulose and probiotics and uses thereof - Google Patents

Biomaterial comprising bacterial cellulose and probiotics and uses thereof

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Publication number
EP4176071A1
EP4176071A1 EP21740458.1A EP21740458A EP4176071A1 EP 4176071 A1 EP4176071 A1 EP 4176071A1 EP 21740458 A EP21740458 A EP 21740458A EP 4176071 A1 EP4176071 A1 EP 4176071A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
probiotics
biomaterial
bacteria
species
genus
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP21740458.1A
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
José Manuel DOMÍNGUEZ VERA
José Manuel DELGADO LÓPEZ
Ana GONZÁLEZ GARNICA
Gloria Belén RAMIREZ RODRIGUEZ
Natividad GÁLVEZ RODRÍGUEZ
Laura SABIO RODRÍGUEZ
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Universidad de Granada
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Universidad de Granada
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Publication date
Application filed by Universidad de Granada filed Critical Universidad de Granada
Publication of EP4176071A1 publication Critical patent/EP4176071A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K35/00—Medicinal preparations containing materials or reaction products thereof with undetermined constitution
    • A61K35/66—Microorganisms or materials therefrom
    • A61K35/74—Bacteria
    • A61K35/741—Probiotics
    • A61K35/744—Lactic acid bacteria, e.g. enterococci, pediococci, lactococci, streptococci or leuconostocs
    • A61K35/747—Lactobacilli, e.g. L. acidophilus or L. brevis
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12P—FERMENTATION OR ENZYME-USING PROCESSES TO SYNTHESISE A DESIRED CHEMICAL COMPOUND OR COMPOSITION OR TO SEPARATE OPTICAL ISOMERS FROM A RACEMIC MIXTURE
    • C12P19/00—Preparation of compounds containing saccharide radicals
    • C12P19/04—Polysaccharides, i.e. compounds containing more than five saccharide radicals attached to each other by glycosidic bonds
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01N—PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
    • A01N43/00—Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing heterocyclic compounds
    • A01N43/02—Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing heterocyclic compounds having rings with one or more oxygen or sulfur atoms as the only ring hetero atoms
    • A01N43/04—Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing heterocyclic compounds having rings with one or more oxygen or sulfur atoms as the only ring hetero atoms with one hetero atom
    • A01N43/14—Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing heterocyclic compounds having rings with one or more oxygen or sulfur atoms as the only ring hetero atoms with one hetero atom six-membered rings
    • A01N43/16—Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing heterocyclic compounds having rings with one or more oxygen or sulfur atoms as the only ring hetero atoms with one hetero atom six-membered rings with oxygen as the ring hetero atom
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01N—PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
    • A01N63/00—Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing microorganisms, viruses, microbial fungi, animals or substances produced by, or obtained from, microorganisms, viruses, microbial fungi or animals, e.g. enzymes or fermentates
    • A01N63/20—Bacteria; Substances produced thereby or obtained therefrom
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L33/00—Modifying nutritive qualities of foods; Dietetic products; Preparation or treatment thereof
    • A23L33/10—Modifying nutritive qualities of foods; Dietetic products; Preparation or treatment thereof using additives
    • A23L33/135—Bacteria or derivatives thereof, e.g. probiotics
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23P—SHAPING OR WORKING OF FOODSTUFFS, NOT FULLY COVERED BY A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS
    • A23P20/00—Coating of foodstuffs; Coatings therefor; Making laminated, multi-layered, stuffed or hollow foodstuffs
    • A23P20/10—Coating with edible coatings, e.g. with oils or fats
    • A23P20/105—Coating with compositions containing vegetable or microbial fermentation gums, e.g. cellulose or derivatives; Coating with edible polymers, e.g. polyvinyalcohol
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/70—Carbohydrates; Sugars; Derivatives thereof
    • A61K31/715—Polysaccharides, i.e. having more than five saccharide radicals attached to each other by glycosidic linkages; Derivatives thereof, e.g. ethers, esters
    • A61K31/716—Glucans
    • A61K31/717—Celluloses
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K35/00—Medicinal preparations containing materials or reaction products thereof with undetermined constitution
    • A61K35/66—Microorganisms or materials therefrom
    • A61K35/74—Bacteria
    • A61K35/741—Probiotics
    • A61K35/744—Lactic acid bacteria, e.g. enterococci, pediococci, lactococci, streptococci or leuconostocs
    • A61K35/745—Bifidobacteria
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L15/00—Chemical aspects of, or use of materials for, bandages, dressings or absorbent pads
    • A61L15/16—Bandages, dressings or absorbent pads for physiological fluids such as urine or blood, e.g. sanitary towels, tampons
    • A61L15/22—Bandages, dressings or absorbent pads for physiological fluids such as urine or blood, e.g. sanitary towels, tampons containing macromolecular materials
    • A61L15/28—Polysaccharides or their derivatives
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L15/00—Chemical aspects of, or use of materials for, bandages, dressings or absorbent pads
    • A61L15/16—Bandages, dressings or absorbent pads for physiological fluids such as urine or blood, e.g. sanitary towels, tampons
    • A61L15/36—Bandages, dressings or absorbent pads for physiological fluids such as urine or blood, e.g. sanitary towels, tampons containing microorganisms
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L27/00—Materials for grafts or prostheses or for coating grafts or prostheses
    • A61L27/14—Macromolecular materials
    • A61L27/20—Polysaccharides
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L27/00—Materials for grafts or prostheses or for coating grafts or prostheses
    • A61L27/36—Materials for grafts or prostheses or for coating grafts or prostheses containing ingredients of undetermined constitution or reaction products thereof, e.g. transplant tissue, natural bone, extracellular matrix
    • A61L27/3637—Materials for grafts or prostheses or for coating grafts or prostheses containing ingredients of undetermined constitution or reaction products thereof, e.g. transplant tissue, natural bone, extracellular matrix characterised by the origin of the biological material other than human or animal, e.g. plant extracts, algae
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P31/00—Antiinfectives, i.e. antibiotics, antiseptics, chemotherapeutics
    • A61P31/04—Antibacterial agents
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N1/00—Microorganisms, e.g. protozoa; Compositions thereof; Processes of propagating, maintaining or preserving microorganisms or compositions thereof; Processes of preparing or isolating a composition containing a microorganism; Culture media therefor
    • C12N1/20—Bacteria; Culture media therefor
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N11/00—Carrier-bound or immobilised enzymes; Carrier-bound or immobilised microbial cells; Preparation thereof
    • C12N11/02—Enzymes or microbial cells immobilised on or in an organic carrier
    • C12N11/04—Enzymes or microbial cells immobilised on or in an organic carrier entrapped within the carrier, e.g. gel or hollow fibres
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23V—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND LACTIC OR PROPIONIC ACID BACTERIA USED IN FOODSTUFFS OR FOOD PREPARATION
    • A23V2400/00—Lactic or propionic acid bacteria
    • A23V2400/11—Lactobacillus
    • A23V2400/143—Fermentum
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23V—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND LACTIC OR PROPIONIC ACID BACTERIA USED IN FOODSTUFFS OR FOOD PREPARATION
    • A23V2400/00—Lactic or propionic acid bacteria
    • A23V2400/11—Lactobacillus
    • A23V2400/145—Gasseri
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12R—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES C12C - C12Q, RELATING TO MICROORGANISMS
    • C12R2001/00—Microorganisms ; Processes using microorganisms
    • C12R2001/01—Bacteria or Actinomycetales ; using bacteria or Actinomycetales
    • C12R2001/02—Acetobacter
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12R—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES C12C - C12Q, RELATING TO MICROORGANISMS
    • C12R2001/00—Microorganisms ; Processes using microorganisms
    • C12R2001/01—Bacteria or Actinomycetales ; using bacteria or Actinomycetales
    • C12R2001/225—Lactobacillus

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of probiotics provided within a biomaterial, and their use in therapy, in particular for the treatment or prevention of bacterial infections. It also relates to their use as coat or package of food products and medical devices to impede the development of pathogen bacteria.
  • Probiotics are live microorganisms intended to provide health benefits by restoring the microbiome or through excreted anti-pathogenic compounds as bacteriocins or hydrogen peroxide. Nonetheless, the viability of naked probiotic and thus its beneficial health effects are endangered during the process of nesting and proliferating in the hostile environment of the targeted tissue. Therefore, one of the keys for health application of probiotics is the choice of the appropriate material serving as a matrix to house live probiotics.
  • BC Bacterial cellulose
  • BC Bacterial cellulose
  • BC provides optimum moisture balance to dry wounds, absorbs wound exudates, serves as an effective physical barrier against any external infection and does not adhere to the surface of the wound and has no damaging effect on tissue upon removal.
  • BC-based materials show faster epithelialization and regeneration than other commercially available products.
  • BC itself has no activity against bacterial infection and attempts to incorporate drugs in cellulose to treat these infections did not work properly.
  • different to wound cures its major obstacle relies on the limited surface charge and lack of functional groups for anchoring of bioactive compounds.
  • the inventors have developed a biomaterial which comprises bacterial cellulose essentially free of cellulose-producing bacteria, and probiotics.
  • Said biomaterial is obtained by culture of aerobic cellulose-producing bacteria (in particular Acetobacter xylinum bacteria) together with facultative anaerobic probiotics (in particular Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus gasseri or Bifidobacterium breve bacteria), under aerobic conditions first, and then under anaerobic conditions.
  • the inventors have shown that the entrapped probiotics in the bacterial cellulose are alive and metabolically active. Moreover, they have observed that the biomaterials severely affect proliferation of pathogenic bacteria commonly involved in the development of skin and wound infections. In particular, they inhibit proliferation of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) in tryptic soy agar (TSA) or Tryptic soy broth (TSB) culture medium, which are particularly favorable for pathogenic proliferation but not for probiotic proliferation.
  • SA Staphylococcus aureus
  • PA Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • TSA tryptic soy agar
  • TAB Tryptic soy broth
  • the invention relates to a biomaterial comprising a bacterial cellulose matrix and probiotics entrapped in said matrix.
  • the invention in a second aspect, relates to a method for obtaining the biomaterial of the first aspect, comprising: (i) culturing aerobic bacteria that produce cellulose simultaneously with facultative anaerobic probiotics or aerotolerant anaerobic probiotics under conditions suitable for the production of cellulose by the bacteria that produce cellulose, thereby resulting in a cellulose matrix containing the bacteria and the probiotics and,
  • step (ii) incubating the cellulose matrix obtained in step (i) in a culture medium that provides conditions which are suitable for the proliferation of the probiotics in said matrix and which are not suitable the proliferation of the aerobic bacteria.
  • a third aspect of the invention relates to a biomaterial obtained by the method of the second aspect of the invention.
  • a fourth aspect of the invention relates to the biomaterial of the first or third aspect of the invention, for use in medicine.
  • a fifth aspect of the invention relates to the biomaterial of the first or third aspect of the invention, for use in the treatment of a wound or of a bacterial infection.
  • a sixth aspect relates to a pharmaceutical composition
  • a pharmaceutical composition comprising the biomaterial of the first or third aspect of the invention, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • a seventh aspect of the invention relates to a coated food product which comprises:
  • An eighth aspect relates to a packaged medical device wherein the device is packaged in a container which comprises a biomaterial of the first or third aspect of the invention.
  • a ninth aspect relates to the use of the biomaterial of the first or third aspect of the invention as a coat in a coated food product.
  • a tenth aspect of the invention relates to the use of a biomaterial of the first or third aspect of the invention for the packaging of a medical device.
  • A Graphical description of BC obtained under aerobic conditions (top) and probiotic cellulose produced by switching to anaerobic conditions (bottom).
  • E SEM micrograph of the air-exposed surface of cellulose co-cultured with Ax and Lf in aerobic conditions (BC). Note that most of the bacteria present the typical fibrous morphology of Ax.
  • F SEM micrograph of the cross-section of the two-sided material formed under anaerobic conditions (24 hours of incubation): one side contains Ax (right) and the other Lf (left).
  • Panels A,C show the bacteria stained with SYTO 9 (live bacteria).
  • Figure 5. Metabolic activity of probiotic cellulose.
  • A Time evolution of the pH of MRS media containing a film of probiotic cellulose.
  • (B) Time dependence of the UV- vis absorbance at 820 nm of probiotic cellulose in contact with a solution containing POM. Data are expressed as mean with the corresponding standard deviation as error bars.
  • Figure 6. Media-dependent inhibition activity of non-encapsulated Lf and Lg probiotics.
  • biomaterial of the invention relates to a biomaterial comprising a bacterial cellulose matrix and probiotics entrapped in said matrix.
  • Said biomaterial is herein referred to as the biomaterial of the invention.
  • biomaterial refers to a designed material or product, that is suitable to interact with biological tissues or with an organism, preferably with the human body, a particular organ of the human body, or a particular region of an organ of the human body.
  • cellulose refers to the term commonly known by an expert in the field.
  • cellulose refers to the homopolymer with the formula (CeHioOs It consists in a linear chain of several hundred to many thousands of b(1 4) linked D- glucose units. It is part of the cell wall of green plants, algae, oomycetes, and can also be produced by some bacteria. Different crystalline structures of cellulose are known, corresponding to the location of hydrogen bonds between and within strands. Natural cellulose is cellulose I, with structures la (triclinic) and Ib (monoclinic).
  • Cellulose la and cellulose Ib have the same fiber repeat length (that is, unit cell dimension c, being 1.043 nm for the repeat dimer in crystallites inside the fiber and 1.029 nm in crystallites at the surface (Davidson T. C. et ah, 2004, Carbohydrate research, 339: 2889-2893)) but differing displacements of the sheets relative to one another.
  • bacterial cellulose refers to cellulose as defined above, produced by bacteria, preferably by bacteria from the genus Acetobacter, Gluconacetobacter, Komagataeibacter, Rhizobium, Agrobacterium, Enter obacter, Achromobacter, Azotobacter, Salmonella, Escherichia, and Sarcina. Whereas plant- derived cellulose chains are closely associated with hemicelluloses, lignin, and pectin, BC is free of other polymers. In addition, as indicated above, BC is primarily formed by cellulose la. The characteristics of the BC have been described in several documents known by an expert in the field, such as Moon R. J. et al. 2011, Chem. Soc.
  • cellulose chains are polymerized by cellulose synthases A (CesA) from activated glucose.
  • the single chains are then extruded through the bacterial cell wall by rosette terminal complexes into the external medium.
  • the macromolecules assemble into hierarchically organized units as a complex, primarily forming subfibrils of 10-15 glucan chains that assemble to form microfibrils, assembled into microfibril bundles.
  • the loosely assembled bundles then form cellulose ribbons comprised of about 1000 polyglucan chains.
  • Continuous spinning of cellulose ribbons by bacteria leads to the formation of a highly pure 3-D structure of nanofibers stabilized by inter- and intra- fibrillar hydrogen bonds.
  • This structural singularity of the BC fibrillated network results in unique mechanical characteristics. Said characteristics include a high degree of crystallinity (60-80%) and a high Young's modulus of 15-30 GPa and a high degree of polymerization (up to 8000).
  • the fibers also show a high aspect ratio, considered to be generally greater than 50 (Moon R. J. et al. 2011, Chem. Soc. Rev., 40:3941-3994).
  • This high aspect ratio of the fibers results in a high surface area which provides a great liquid loading capacity of up to 99 wt.%.
  • about 90% of the water molecules are tightly bound to the large number of hydroxyl groups within the cellulose molecules.
  • BC fibers have a greater specific area in comparison to plant derived cellulose fibers. Water absorbency of BC was more than 30% greater than for cotton gauze, and the drying time was 33% longer (Sulaeva I. et al., 2015, Biotechnology advances, 33:1547-1571). Morphology of the fibers can vary with the specific bacteria producing them and with the culturing conditions.
  • Acetobacter microfibrils typically have a rectangular cross-section (6-10 nm by 30-50 nm), having primarily la crystal structure (Moon R. J. et al. 2011, Chem. Soc. Rev., 40:3941-3994). Methods for identifying BC and for determining the properties of BC are described in Zhang. W. et al, 2018, Food Sci. Biotech. 27: 705-713.
  • bacteria that produce cellulose refers to any bacteria capable of producing the bacterial cellulose as defined above. They can be aerobic, anaerobic, or facultative anaerobic bacteria. Non-limiting examples of said bacteria include bacteria from the genus Acetobacter, Gluconacetobacter, Komagataeibacter, Rhizobium, Agrobacterium, Enter obacter, Achromobacter, Azotobacter, Salmonella, Escherichia, Pseudomonas, Alcaligenis or Sarcina. Methods allowing identifying bacteria that produce cellulose are well-known by an expert in the field.
  • Non-limiting examples of said methods include culturing a specific bacterial strain or species of interest under conditions suitable for bacterial cellulose production, and in the absence of cellulose in the initial culture media. After a certain time, generally 3-10 days, the presence of bacterial cellulose in the culture medium is analyzed. In case bacterial cellulose is found, it is considered that the tested bacteria are indeed bacteria that produce cellulose.
  • the BC Culture conditions allowing bacteria to produce cellulose are described in Materials and Methods below and the analyses of the bacterial cellulose present in the culture medium of bacterial cellulose that produce BC in Example 1 below. Methods allowing differentiating bacterial strains that produce BC from those that do not are also described in Masoaka S. et al., 1993, Journal of fermentation and bioengineering, 175: 18-22 or in Zhang. W. et al., 2018, Food Sci. Biotech. 27: 705- 713.
  • bacterial cellulose matrix refers to any sample of bacterial cellulose, which as defined above, is a 3-D structure of nanofibers stabilized by inter- and intra-fibrillar hydrogen bonds, which results in a fibrillated network, or matrix of fibers.
  • said matrix comprises the cellulose fibers, bounds between cellulose fibers, and/or within the same cellulose fiber, and empty spaces, or pours.
  • probiotics refers to microorganisms which when provided to a subject, preferably a human, they confer a health benefit to said subject.
  • Non-limiting examples of probiotics include bacteria from the genera Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Pediococcus, Leuconostoc, Bacillus, Escherichia.
  • probiotics entrapped in said matrix refers to probiotics, or a population of probiotics, contained within the bacterial cellulose matrix, in particular within one or several pours of the matrix. Said probiotics cannot freely move in all directions within the matrix, although no chemical bound may exist between the probiotics and the matrix (i.e. between any region of a probiotic bacteria and a fiber of the matrix). Thus, in order for the probiotics to get out of the matrix, or to reach the external surface of the matrix, an external force needs to be applied to the matrix, or a liquid needs to be applied to the matrix with a certain pressure, so that the probiotics move within the matrix until they reach the external surface of the matrix.
  • the entrapped probiotics can proliferate within the matrix.
  • the probiotics are not chemically bound to the matrix, i.e. no chemical bound exists between any region of the probiotics and any fiber of the matrix.
  • the probiotics entrapped in the matrix of bacterial cellulose is a population of bacteria from a single species of bacteria.
  • probiotics entrapped in the matrix of bacterial cellulose is a population of bacteria from a single bacterial strain.
  • the probiotics entrapped in the matrix of bacterial cellulose is a population of bacteria from several species of bacteria.
  • the probiotics entrapped in the matrix of bacterial cellulose is a population of bacteria from several bacterial strains.
  • the amount of probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of about 1x107, 5x107, 1x10 8 , 2x10 8 , 3x10 8 , 4x10 8 , 5x10 8 , 6x10 8 , 7x10 8 , 8x10 8 , 9x10 8 , 1x10 9 , 2x10 9 , 3x10 9 , 4x10 9 , 5x10 9 , 6x10 9 , 7x10 9 , 8x10 9 , 9x10 9 , 1x10 10 , 2x10 10 , 3x10 10 , 4x10 10 , 5x10 10 , 5.5x10 10 , 6x10 10 , 6.2x10 10 , 6.5x10 10 , 6.7x10 10 , 7x10 10 , 7.2x10 10 , 7.5x10 10 , 7.7x10 10 , 8x10 10 , 8.1x10 10 , 8.2x10 10 , 8.3x10
  • the amount of probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of 1.2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC. In another preferred embodiment, the amount of probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of 1x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC. In a particular embodiment, the amount of probiotic bacteria comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of at least any of the CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC is as indicated above.
  • the amount of probiotic bacteria comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of at least 8.7 x10 10 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg BC, preferably at least 9.2x10 10 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, more preferably at least 1x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, even more preferably at least 1.2 x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, yet more preferably at least 1.4 x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, even yet more preferably at least 1.7x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC.
  • the amount of probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of at least 1.2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC.
  • the amount of probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of at least 1x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC.
  • the amount of probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of between 1 ⁇ 10 7 and 1 ⁇ 10 15 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 1 ⁇ 108 and 1 ⁇ 1013 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 1x10 9 and 1 ⁇ 10 12 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 1x10 10 and 1x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 5x10 10 and 5x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 7x10 10 and 4x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 8x10 10 and 2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 8.5x10 10 and 1.8x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 8.7x10 10 and 1.7x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 8.
  • the amount of probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of between 8.5x10 10 and 2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC. In another preferred embodiment, the amount of probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of between 1x10 11 and 1.2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention are almost all entrapped in the BC matrix of the biomaterial of the invention.
  • the expression “the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention”, as used all along the specification refers to the probiotics entrapped in the BC matrix of the biomaterial of the invention.
  • the biomaterial of the invention is essentially free from bacteria that produce cellulose.
  • the expression “essentially free”, as used herein, refers to a biomaterial, which comprises less than 15%, 12%, 10%, 9%, 7%, 5%, 3%, 2%, 1.7%, 1.5%, 1.4%, 1.3%, 1.2%, 1.1%, 1%, 0.9%, 0.8%, 0.7%, 0.6% 0.5%, 0.4%, 0.3%, 0.2%, 0.1%, 0.09%, 0.085%, 0.08%, 0.07%, 0.06%, 0.005%, 0.04%, 0.03%, 0.02%, 0.01%, 0.009%, 0.008%, 0.007%, 0.006%, 0.005%, 0.004%, 0.003%, 0.002%, or 0.001% of cellulose producing bacteria with respect to the amount of probiotics comprised in the biomaterial.
  • the expression “essentially free”, as used herein, refers to a biomaterial, which comprises less than 15%, 12%, 10%, 9%, 7%, 5%, 3%, 2%, 1.7%, 1.5%, 1.4%, 1.3%, 1.2%, 1.1%, 1%, 0.9%, 0.8%, 0.7%, 0.6% 0.5%, 0.4%, 0.3%, 0.2%, 0.1%, 0.09%, 0.085%, 0.08%, 0.07%, 0.06%, 0.005%, 0.04%, 0.03%, 0.02%, 0.01%, 0.009%, 0.008%, 0.007%, 0.006%, 0.005%, 0.004%, 0.003%, 0.002%, or 0.001% of cellulose producing bacteria per weight unit of BC.
  • Methods for determining the amount of probiotics in the biomaterial of the invention or in a BC and of bacteria that produce cellulose with respect to the amount of probiotics in the biomaterial of the invention or in a BC are well known by an expert in the field.
  • Non-limiting examples of methods allowing to determining the amount of probiotics in the biomaterial include those referred in the Materials and Methods “Quantification of immobilized probiotics” in the Examples below.
  • Additional non-limiting examples of methods allowing counting the number of probiotics in the biomaterial or in a BC include those described below within the methods to count the number of bacteria that produce cellulose with respect to the number of probiotics in the biomaterial or BC, based on Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), on GRAM staining, or on a combination of both.
  • FESEM Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy
  • the determination of the amount of bacteria that produce cellulose with respect to the amount of probiotics in the biomaterial or in a BC may be carried out by identifying probiotics and bacteria that produce cellulose using stains specific for each type of microorganism followed by counting the amount of bacteria that produce cellulose per number of probiotics identified in the biomaterial or BC of interest.
  • FESEM Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy
  • GRAM staining differentiates between Gram-negative bacteria (as most cellulose producing bacteria, such as bacteria from the genus Acetobacter, Gluconacetobacter, Komagataeibacter, Rhizobium, Agrobacterium, Enterobacter, Achromobacter, Azotobacter, Salmonella, Escherichia, Pseudomonas, Alcaligenis or Sarcina) and Gram-positive bacteria (as most probiotics, such as bacteria from the genus Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, enterococos, Pediococcus, Leuconostoc or Bacillus).
  • Methods allowing to count the number of bacteria that produce cellulose observed with any of said methods with respect to the amount of probiotics observed with any of said methods in the biomaterial or BC analyzed are well known by an expert in the field. They may simply consist on counting the amount of bacteria that produce cellulose identified and the number of probiotics identified with said methods in a specific surface unit of the biomaterial or BC analyzed and considered as a surface unit comprising a representative distribution of the different types of bacteria in the biomaterial or BC. The amount of bacteria that produce cellulose identified is then divided by the amount of probiotics identified.
  • the size of each of said surfaces is determined with respect to each other.
  • the amount of bacteria that produce cellulose by surface unit where they are localized is determined, as well as the amount of probiotics by surface unit where they are localized with any of the methods referred above.
  • the total amount of each of said type of bacteria is then normalized by the relative size of the surface area where they are localized as determined before.
  • the total amount of bacteria that produce cellulose so defined is divided by the total amount of probiotics so defined in the biomaterial or in the bacteria cellulose analyzed.
  • the bacterial cellulose has been produced by aerobic bacteria.
  • said bacteria are bacteria that produce bacterial cellulose as defined above that in addition, are aerobic.
  • aerobic bacteria refers to bacteria that require oxygen to grow or survive.
  • aerobes require molecular oxygen as a terminal electron acceptor and cannot grow in its absence.
  • said organisms require an atmospheric oxygen concentration higher than 15%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 20.95%, 21%, 22%, preferably higher than 20%.
  • Non-limiting examples of aerobic bacteria include bacteria from the genus Acetobacter, Gluconacetobacter, Komagataeibacter, Rhizobium, Agrobacterium, Achromobacter, Azotobacter, Pseudomonas or Alcaligenis.
  • the aerobic bacteria that produce the BC of the biomaterial of the invention are from the genus Acetobacter, Gluconacetobacter, Komagataeibacter, Rhizobium, Agrobacterium, Achromobacter, Azotobacter, Pseudomonas, Alcaligenis or combinations thereof.
  • the aerobic bacteria that produce the BC of the biomaterial of the invention are from the genus Acetobacter, Gluconacetobacter, Komagataeibacter or combinations thereof.
  • aerobic bacteria that produce the BC of the biomaterial of the invention are for the genus Acetobacter.
  • aerobic bacteria that produce the BC of the biomaterial of the invention are from the genus Gluconacetobacter.
  • aerobic bacteria that produce the BC of the biomaterial of the invention are from the genus Komagataeibacter
  • bacteria from a genus specified above are from any of the species of said genus.
  • the aerobic bacteria that produce the BC of the biomaterial of the invention from the genus Acetobacter are from the species A. xylinum, A. nitrogenifigens, A. orientalis or combinations thereof.
  • the bacteria from the genus Acetobacter are from the species A. xylinum, preferably from the strain deposited at the Colecissus Espa ⁇ ola de Cultivos Tipo (CECT) with accession number CECT 473.
  • CECT Colecissus de Cultivos Tipo
  • Acetobacter xylinum, Gluconacetobacter xylinum and Komagataeibacter xylinum are often used interchangeably.
  • Acetobacter xylinum refers to Gluconacetobacter xylinum.
  • A. xylinum refers to Komagataeibacter xylinum.
  • A. xylinum CECT 473 is a strain freely available from Colec Terms Espa ⁇ ola de Cultivos Tipo.
  • the aerobic bacteria that produce the BC of the biomaterial of the invention from the Gluconacetobacter are from the species G. hansenii, G. swingsii, G. sacchari, G. kombuchae, G. entanii, G. persimmonis, G. sucrofermentans or combinations thereof.
  • the aerobic bacteria that produce the BC of the biomaterial of the invention from the genus Komagataeibacter are from the species K. europaeus, K. medellinensis, K. intermedius, K. rhaeticus, K. kakiaceti, K. oboediens, K. nataicola, K. saccharivorans, K. maltaceti, or combinations thereof.
  • the bacterial cellulose has been produced by anaerobic bacteria. As understood by a skilled person, said bacteria are bacteria that produce bacterial cellulose as defined above that in addition, are anaerobic.
  • anaerobic bacteria refers to bacteria that cannot grow in the presence of oxygen. Their metabolism frequently is a fermentative type in which they reduce available organic compounds to various end products such as organic acids and alcohols. Oxygen tolerance varies between species, some are capable of surviving in up to 8% atmospheric oxygen concentration, others lose viability unless the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere is less than 0.5%. Thus, in a particular embodiment, the anaerobic bacteria require an atmospheric oxygen concentration lower than 8%, 7%, 6%; 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.9%, 0.7%, 0.5%, 0.4% , 0.3%, 0.2%, 0.1%, preferably lower than 8%.
  • the anaerobic bacteria that produce the BC of the biomaterial of the invention are from the genus Sarcina, preferably from the species S. ventriculi.
  • the bacterial cellulose has been produced by facultative anaerobic bacteria.
  • said bacteria are bacteria that produce bacterial cellulose as defined above that in addition, are facultative anaerobes.
  • the expression “facultative anaerobic bacteria”, as used herein, refers to bacteria that can grow or survive in the presence or absence of oxygen, because they can metabolize energy aerobically or anaerobically. They preferentially utilize oxygen as a terminal electron acceptor, but also can metabolize in the absence of oxygen by reducing other compounds.
  • facultative anaerobic bacteria metabolize energy aerobically and in the absence of oxygen they metabolize energy anaerobically.
  • facultative anaerobic bacteria can grow in any of the oxygen concentrations indicated above in the definition of “aerobic bacteria” and of “anaerobic bacteria”.
  • the facultative anaerobic bacteria that produce BC of the biomaterial of the invention are from the genus Enterobacter, Salmonella, Escherichia, or combinations thereof.
  • the bacterial cellulose has been produced by microaerophiles. As understood by a skilled person, said bacteria are bacteria that produce bacterial cellulose as defined above that in addition, are microaerophiles.
  • microaerophile refers to bacteria that metabolize energy aerobically, and not anaerobically, although normal oxygen concentrations are toxic for these bacteria. Microaerophiles thus grow in oxygen atmospheric concentrations between 2-10%. In particular embodiment, they grow under atmospheric oxygen concentrations of between 0.5% and 21%, 1% and 18%, 1.5% and 15%, 2% and 10%, 5% and 10%, 5% and 8%, preferably between 2% and 10%. In another particular embodiment, Microaerophiles require an atmospheric oxygen concentration of between 0.5% and 21%, 1% and 18%, 1.5% and 15%, 2% and 10%, 5% and 10%, 5% and 8%, preferably between 2% and 10%.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention are facultative anaerobic bacteria.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention are aerotolerant anaerobic bacteria.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention are facultative anaerobic bacteria or aerotolerant anaerobic bacteria.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention are facultative anaerobic bacteria and/or aerotolerant anaerobic bacteria.
  • aerotolerant anaerobes or “aerotolerant anaerobic bacteria” as used herein, refers to bacteria that metabolize energy anaerobically and thus do not require oxygen to grow or survive, but that are not poisoned by oxygen, i.e. they tolerate the presence of oxygen in the atmosphere.
  • aerotolerant anaerobes grow with an oxygen concentration in the atmosphere lower than 21%, 18%, 15%, 12%, 10%, 8,%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.25%, 0.2%, 0.1%, 0.9%, 0.5%, 0.25%, preferably lower 10%.
  • aerotolerant anaerobes grow with an oxygen concentration in the atmosphere of between 0.5% and 21%, 1% and 18%, 1.5% and 15%, 2% and 10%, 5% and 10%, 5% and 8%, preferably of between 2% and 10%. In another particular embodiment, they require an atmospheric oxygen concentration lower than 21%, 18%, 15%, 12%, 10%, 8,%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.25%, 0.2%, 0.1%, 0.9%, 0.5%, 0.25%, preferably lower 10%.
  • aerotolerant anaerobes require an oxygen concentration in the atmosphere of between In preferred embodiment, they grow with an oxygen concentration in the atmosphere of between 0.5% and 21%, 1% and 18%, 1.5% and 15%, 2% and 10%, 5% and 10%, 5% and 8%, preferably of between 2% and 10%.
  • probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention as described herein are from the genus Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Pediococcus, Leuconostoc, Bacillus, Escherichia or combinations thereof.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention as described herein are from the genus Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, or combinations thereof. In another preferred embodiment, they are from the genus Lactobacillus. In another preferred embodiment, they are from the genus Bifidobacterium. In some embodiments, probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention as defined herein are from a species from one of the genus mentioned in the previous embodiment. In other embodiments, they are from several species from one genera indicated in the aforementioned embodiments.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention are from several species from at least two genera selected from those indicated in the aforementioned embodiments.
  • probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are from the genus Lactobacillus are from the species L. fermentum, L. gasseri, L. acidophilus, L. plantarum., L. rhamnosus, L. casei, L. johnsonii, L. delbrueckii, L. salivarus, or combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, they are from the species L. consumermtum.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention are from the species L. gasseri.
  • probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention are from the genus Lactobacillus, preferably from the species L. fermentum, L. gasseri, L. acidophilus, L. plantarum., L. rhamnosus, L. casei, L. johnsonii, L. delbrueckii, L. salivarus, or combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, they are form the species L. sumtum.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention are from the species L. gasseri.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are from the species L. acidophilus are from the strain CECT 903. L.
  • acidophilus CECT 903 is a strain that is freely available from Colecissus Espa ⁇ ola de Cultivos Tipo.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are from the species L. plantarum are from the strain CECT 220.
  • L. plantarum CECT 220 is a strain that is freely available from Colec Terms Espa ⁇ ola de Cultivos Tipo.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are from the species L. rhamnosus are from the strain CECT 278. L.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are from the genus Bifidobacterium are from the species B. breve, B. longum, B. animalis, B. infantum, B. animalis, lactis, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, Bifidobacterium boum, Bifidobacterium minimum, Bifidobacterium pyschraerophilum or combinations thereof.
  • the comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are from the genus Bifidobacterium are from the species B. breve, B.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention are from the species B. breve.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention are from the genus Bifidobacterium, preferably from the species B. breve, B. longum, B. animalis, B. infantum, B. animalis, lactis, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, Bifidobacterium boum, Bifidobacterium minimum, Bifidobacterium pyschraerophilum or combinations thereof.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention are from the genusBifidobacterium, preferably from the species B. breve, B. longum, B. animalis, B. infantum, B. animalis, or combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, they are from the species B. breve. In a preferred embodiment, the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention are from the species B. breve. In a particular embodiment, the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are from the species Streptococcus are from the species S. thermophiles.
  • probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are facultative anaerobic bacteria are from the genus Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Pediococcus, Leuconostoc, Bacillus, Escherichia or combinations thereof.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are anaerobic facultative bacteria are from the genus Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, or combinations thereof.
  • probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are anaerobic facultative bacteria are from the genus Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Pediococcus, Leuconostoc, Bacillus, Escherichia or combinations thereof.
  • probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are anaerobic facultative bacteria are from the genus Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, or combinations thereof.
  • probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are facultative anaerobic bacteria are from the genus Lactobacillus.
  • probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are aerotolorant anaerobes are from the genus Bifidobacterium.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are facultative anaerobic bacteria that are from the genus Lactobacillus are from the species L. fermentum, L. gasseri, L. acidophilus, L. plantarum., L. rhamnosus, L. casei, L. johnsonii, L. delbrueckii, L. salivarus, or combinations thereof. In preferred embodiment, they are form the species L. consumermtum.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are facultative anaerobic bacteria are from the species L. gasseri.
  • probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention are facultative anaerobic bacteria from the genus Lactobacillus, preferably from the species L. fermentum, L. gasseri, L. acidophilus, L. plantarum., L. rhamnosus, L. casei, L. johnsonii, L. delbrueckii, L. salivarus, or combinations thereof.
  • probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention are facultative anaerobic bacteria from the species L. consumermtum.
  • probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention are facultative anaerobic bacteria from the species L. gasseri.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are facultative anaerobic bacteria that are from the species L. acidophilus are from the strain CECT 903.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are facultative anaerobic bacteria that are from the species L. plantarum are from the strain CECT 220.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are facultative anaerobic bacteria that are from the species L. rhamnosus are from the strain CECT 278.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are facultative anaerobic bacteria that are from the genus Bifidobacterium are from the species B. breve, B. longum, B. animalis, B. infantum, B. animalis, lactis, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, Bifidobacterium boum, Bifidobacterium minimum, Bifidobacterium pyschraerophilum or combinations thereof.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are facultative anaerobic bacteria that are from the genus Bifidobacterium are from the species B. breve, B. longum, B. animalis, B.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are facultative anaerobic bacteria that are from the genus Bifidobacterium are from the species B. breve, B. longum, B. animalis, B. infantum, B. animalis, or combinations thereof.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are facultative anaerobic bacteria are from the species B. breve.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are facultative anaerobic bacteria that are from the species Lactococcus are from the species L. lactis.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are facultative anaerobic bacteria that are from the species Streptococcus are from the species S. thermophiles.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are aerotolerant anaerobes are from the genus Bifidobacterium.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are aerotolerant anaerobes that are from the genus Bifidobacterium are from the species B. breve, B. longum, B. animalis, B. infantum, B.
  • the animalis lactis, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, Bifidobacterium boum, Bifidobacterium minimum, Bifidobacterium pyschraerophilum or combinations thereof.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are aerotolerant anaerobes are from the genus Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, Bifidobacterium boum, Bifidobacterium minimum, Bifidobacterium pyschraerophilum, and combinations thereof.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are aerotolerant anaerobes are from the species B. breve, B. longum, B. animalis, B. infantum, B. animalis or combinations thereof.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are aerotolrant anaerobes are from the species B. breve.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention are aerotolerant anaerobes from the genus Bifidobacterium, preferably from the species B. breve, B. longum, B. animalis, B. infantum, B.
  • probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention are aerotolerant anaerobes from the genus Bifidobacterium, preferably from the species Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, Bifidobacterium boum, Bifidobacterium minimum, Bifidobacterium pyschraerophilum, and combinations thereof.
  • probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention are aerotolerant anaerobes from the genus Bifidobacterium, preferably from the species B. breve, B. longum, B. animalis, B. infantum, B. animalis or combinations thereof.
  • probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention are aerotolerant anaerobes from the species B. breve.
  • probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are facultative anaerobic bacteria and/or aerotolerant anaerobes are found at a concentration with respect to the content of BC as defined in the embodiments above for the amount of probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention.
  • the facultative anaerobic probiotics comprised in the biomaterial according to the invention are found at a concentration with respect to the content of BC as defined in the embodiments above for the amount of probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention.
  • the amount of facultative anaerobic probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of about 8.7 x10 10 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg BC, preferably about 9.2x10 10 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg BC, more preferably about 1x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, yet more preferably about 1.2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, even yet more preferably about 1..4 x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, even more preferably about 1.7x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC.
  • the amount of facultative anaerobic probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of 1x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC.
  • it is of at least 8.7 x10 10 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, preferably of at least 9.2x10 10 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, more preferably at least 1x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, yet more preferably at least 1.2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, even more preferably of at least 1.4 x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, even yet more preferably at least 1.7 x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC.
  • the amount of facultative anaerobic probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of at least 1.2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC.
  • the amount of facultative anaerobic probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of at least 1x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC. In another preferred embodiment, the amount of facultative anaerobic probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of between 8.5x10 10 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC and 2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC. In another preferred embodiment, the amount of facultative anaerobic probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of between 1x10 11 and 1.2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC.
  • the aerotolerant anaerobic probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention are found at a concentration with respect to the content of BC as defined in the embodiments above for the amount of probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention.
  • the amount of aerotolerant anaerobic probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of about 8.7 x10 10 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg BC, preferably about 9.2x10 10 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg BC, more preferably about 1x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, yet more preferably about 1.2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, even yet more preferably about 1.4 x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, even more preferably about 1.7x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC.
  • the amount of aerotolerant anaerobic probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of about 1.2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC. In another preferred embodiment, the amount of aerotolerant anaerobic probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of 1x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC.
  • it is of at least 8.7 x10 10 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, preferably of at least 9.2x10 10 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, more preferably at least 1x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, even more preferably at least 1.2 x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, yet more preferably at least 1.4 x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, even yet more preferably of at least 1.7 x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC.
  • the amount of aerotolerant anaerobic probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of at least 1.2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC.
  • the amount of aerotolerant anaerobic probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of at least 1x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC. In another preferred embodiment, the amount of aerotolerant anaerobic probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of between 8.5x10 10 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC and 2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC. In another preferred embodiment, the amount of aerotolerant anaerobic probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of between 1x10 11 and 1.2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention as defined herein are preferably anaerobic facultative bacteria, are from the genus Lactobacillus, preferably from the species L. fermentum, and the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of about 5x10 10 , 7x10 10 , 9x10 10 , 1x10 11 , 1.2x10 11 , 1.3x10 11 , 1.4x10 11 , 1.5x10 11 , 1.6x10 11 , 1.7x10 11 , 1.8x10 11 , 1.9x10 11 , 2x10 11 , 2.5x10 11 , 2.7x10 11 , 3x10 11 , 3.5x10 11 , 4x10 11 , 4.5x10 11 , 5x10 11 , 6x10 11 , 7x10 11 , 8x10 11 , 9x10 11 , 1x10 12 , 2x10 12 CFU of probiotics per mg BC, preferably about 1x10
  • the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of about 1.2x10 11 CFU of probiotics per mg BC. In another preferred embodiment, the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of about 1x10 11 CFU of probiotics per mg BC.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention as defined herein are preferably anaerobic facultative bacteria, are from the genus Lactobacillus, preferably from the species L. fermentum, and the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial is of at least any of the amounts indicated in the embodiment just above.
  • probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention as defined herein are preferably anaerobic facultative bacteria, are from the genus Lactobacillus, preferably form the species L. fermentum, and the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial is of between 1 ⁇ 107 and 1 ⁇ 1016 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 1 ⁇ 108 and 1 ⁇ 1013 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 1x10 9 and 1 ⁇ 1012 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 1x10 10 and 1x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 5x10 10 and 5x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 7x10 10 and 4x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 8x10 10 and 2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 8.5x10 10 and 1.8x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 8.7x10 10 and 1.7x10 11 CFU of probiotic
  • the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of between 8.5x10 10 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC and 2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC. In another preferred embodiment, the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of between 1x10 11 and 1.2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC.
  • probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention as defined herein are preferably anaerobic facultative bacteria, are from the genus Lactobacillus, preferably from the species L.
  • the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial is of about 5x10 10 , 7x10 10 , 9x10 10 , 1x10 11 , 1.2x10 11 , 1.3x10 11 , 1.4x10 11 , 1.5x10 11 , 1.6x10 11 , 1.7x10 11 , 1.8x10 11 , 1.9x10 11 , 2x10 11 , 2.5x10 11 , 2.7x10 11 , 3x10 11 , 3.5x10 11 , 4x10 11 , 4.5x10 11 , 5x10 11 , 6x10 11 , 7x10 11 , 8x10 11 , 9x10 11 , 1x10 12 , 2x10 12 of probiotics per mg BC, preferably about 8.7x10 10 of probiotics per mg BC, more preferably about 9.2x10 10 of probiotics per mg BC, yet more preferably about 1 x10 10 of probiotics per mg BC, even yet more preferably 1.2x10 10
  • the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of about 1.2x10 11 CFU of probiotics per mg BC. In another preferred embodiment, the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of about 1x10 11 CFU of probiotics per mg BC.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention as defined herein are preferably anaerobic facultative bacteria, are from the genus Lactobacillus, preferably from the species L. gasseri, and the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial is of at least any of those indicated in the embodiment just above.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention as defined herein are preferably anaerobic facultative bacteria, are from the genus Lactobacillus, preferably from the species L. gasseri, and the amount of said probiotics in the biomaterial is of between 1 ⁇ 107 and 1 ⁇ 1016 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 1 ⁇ 108 and 1 ⁇ 1013 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 1x10 9 and 1 ⁇ 1012 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 1x10 10 and 1x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 5x10 10 and 5x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 7x10 10 and 4x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 8x10 10 and 2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 8.5x10 10 and 1.8x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 8.7x10 10 and 1.7x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per
  • the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of between 8.5x10 10 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC and 2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC. In another preferred embodiment, the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of between 1x10 11 and 1.2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC. In a particular embodiment, the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention as defined herein are preferably anaerobic facultative bacteria, are from the genus Bifidobacterium, preferably from the species B.
  • the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial is of about 5x10 10 , 7x10 10 , 9x10 10 , 1x10 11 , 1.2x10 11 , 1.3x10 11 , 1.4x10 11 , 1.5x10 11 , 1.6x10 11 , 1.7x10 11 , 1.8x10 11 , 1.9x10 11 , 2x10 11 , 2.5x10 11 , 2.7x10 11 , 3x10 11 , 3.5x10 11 , 4x10 11 , 4.5x10 11 , 5x10 11 , 6x10 11 , 7x10 11 , 8x10 11 , 9x10 11 , 1x10 12 , 2x10 12 CFU of probiotics per mg BC, preferably about 8.7x10 10 of probiotics per mg BC, more preferably about 9.2x10 10 of probiotics per mg BC about 1x10 11 CFU of probiotics per mg BC, even more preferably about 1.2x10 11 CFU of
  • the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of about 1.2x10 11 CFU of probiotics per mg BC. In another preferred embodiment, the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of about 1x10 11 CFU of probiotics per mg BC.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention as defined herein are preferably anaerobic facultative bacteria, are from the genus Bifidobacterium, preferably from the species B. breve, and the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial is of at least any of the amounts indicated in the embodiment just above.
  • probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention as defined herein are preferably anaerobic facultative bacteria, are from the genus Bifidobacterium, preferably from the species B. breve, and the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial is of between 1 ⁇ 10 7 and 1 ⁇ 10 16 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 1 ⁇ 10 8 and 1 ⁇ 10 13 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 1x10 9 and 1 ⁇ 10 12 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 1x10 10 and 1x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 5x10 10 and 5x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 7x10 10 and 4x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 8x10 10 and 2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 8.5x10 10 and 1.8x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 8.7x10 10 and 1.7x10 11
  • the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of between 8.5x10 10 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC and 2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC. In another preferred embodiment, the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of between 1x10 11 and 1.2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention as defined herein are preferably aerotolerant facultative bacteria, are from the genus Bifidobacterium, preferably from the species B.
  • the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial is of about 5x10 10 , 7x10 10 , 9x10 10 , 1x10 11 , 1.2x10 11 , 1.3x10 11 , 1.4x10 11 , 1.5x10 11 , 1.6x10 11 , 1.7x10 11 , 1.8x10 11 , 1.9x10 11 , 2x10 11 , 2.5x10 11 , 2.7x10 11 , 3x10 11 , 3.5x10 11 , 4x10 11 , 4.5x10 11 , 5x10 11 , 6x10 11 , 7x10 11 , 8x10 11 , 9x10 11 , 1x10 12 , 2x10 12 CFU of probiotics per mg BC, preferably about 8.7x10 10 of probiotics per mg BC, more preferably about 9.2x10 10 of probiotics per mg BC about 1x10 11 CFU of probiotics per mg BC, even more preferably about 1.2x10 11 CFU of
  • the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of about 1.2x10 11 CFU of probiotics per mg BC. In another preferred embodiment, the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of about 1x10 11 CFU of probiotics per mg BC.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention as defined herein are preferably aerotolerant facultative bacteria, are from the genus Bifidobacterium, preferably from the species B. breve, and the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial is of at least any of the amounts indicated in the embodiment just above.
  • probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention as defined herein are preferably aerotolerant facultative bacteria, are from the genus Bifidobacterium, preferably from the species B. breve, and the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial is of between 1 ⁇ 107 and 1 ⁇ 1016 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 1 ⁇ 10 8 and 1 ⁇ 10 13 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 1x10 9 and 1 ⁇ 10 12 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 1x10 10 and 1x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 5x10 10 and 5x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 7x10 10 and 4x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 8x10 10 and 2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 8.5x10 10 and 1.8x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, between 8.7x10 10 and 1.7x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per
  • the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of between 8.5x10 10 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC and 2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC. In another preferred embodiment, the amount of said probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention is of between 1x10 11 and 1.2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC.
  • the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention are a population of probiotics, comprising facultative anaerobic bacteria and aerotolerant anaerobic bacteria. In a preferred embodiment, said facultative anaerobic bacteria are as defined and described above in the definitions and embodiments of facultative anaerobic bacteria.
  • said aerotolerant anaerobic bacteria are as defined and described above in the definitions and embodiments of aerotolerant anaerobic bacteria.
  • the total amount of probiotics in said population of probiotics is any of those indicated above in the embodiments defining the amount of probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention.
  • the biomaterial of the invention is provided in a unit of biomaterial which has an area of about 1 m2, 750 cm 2 , 500 cm 2 , 400 cm 2 , 300 cm 2 , 200 cm 2 , 100 cm 2 , 90 cm 2 , 80 cm 2 , 70 cm 2 , 60 cm 2 , 50 cm 2 , 40 cm 2 , 30 cm 2 , 25 cm 2 , 20 cm 2 , 15 cm 2 , 12 cm 2 , 10 cm 2 , 8 cm 2 , 5 cm 2 , 4 cm 2 , 2 cm 2 , 1 cm 2 , 0.5 cm 2 , preferably, of about 12 cm 2 .
  • the thickness of said unit of biomaterial is of about 0.1mm, 0.2mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.8 mm, 0.9 mm, 1 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.7 mm, 2 mm, 2.2 mm, 2.5 mm, 2.7 mm, 3 mm, 3.5 mm, 4 mm
  • said unit of biomaterial of the invention is circular, rectangular, square, star-shaped, or with an irregular shape. In a preferred embodiment, it has a circular shape.
  • 2- Methods for preparing the biomaterials according to the invention relates to a method for obtaining the biomaterial of the first aspect, comprising: (i) culturing aerobic bacteria that produce cellulose simultaneously with facultative anaerobic probiotics and/or aerotolerant anaerobic probiotics under conditions suitable for the production of cellulose by the bacteria that produce cellulose, thereby resulting in a cellulose matrix containing the bacteria and the probiotics and, (ii) incubating the cellulose matrix obtained in step (i) in a culture medium that provides conditions which are suitable for the proliferation of the probiotics in said matrix and which are not suitable the proliferation of the aerobic bacteria.
  • the aerobic bacteria are any of the aerobic bacteria specified in the aspect of the invention related to the biomaterial of the invention.
  • the “probiotics” are any of the probiotics specified in the aspect related to the biomaterial of the invention.
  • the facultative anaerobic bacteria are any of the facultative anaerobic bacteria specified in the aspect of the invention related to the biomaterial of the invention.
  • the “aerotolerant anaerobic bacteria” are any of the aerotolerant anaerobic bacteria specified in the aspect of the invention related to the biomaterial of the invention.
  • “bacteria that produce cellulose” are any of those specified in the aspect of the invention related to the biomaterial of the invention.
  • the method of the invention comprises culturing aerobic bacteria that produce cellulose simultaneously with probiotics that are facultative anaerobic bacteria and/or aerotolerant anaerobic bacteria under conditions suitable for the production of cellulose by the bacteria that produce cellulose, thereby resulting in a cellulose matrix containing the bacteria and the probiotics and,
  • the expression “conditions suitable for the production of cellulose by the bacteria that produce cellulose” a used herein, refers to culture conditions that allow bacteria that produce cellulose, as defined in the aspect related to the biomaterial of the invention, to grow in a manner so that they produce bacterial cellulose.
  • said culture conditions are aerobic culture conditions.
  • aerobic culture conditions are achieved by simply performing the culture in an open atmosphere, i.e. in a flask not hermetically closed, or simply opened, in a culture room with an open atmosphere or even in the outdoor.
  • the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere in which said culture is performed is of about 22%, 21%, 20.95%, 20.9%, 20.8%, 20.7%, 20.5%, 20.4%, 20.3%, 20.2%, 20.1%, 20%, 19.5%, 19%, 18%, 17%, 16%, 15%, 14%, 12%, 10%, preferably of about 21%, more preferably of about 20.95%.
  • the culture medium of said culture conditions suitable for the production of cellulose by the bacteria that produce cellulose are commonly known by an expert in the field.
  • Non-limiting examples of said mediums include Hestrin and Schramm (HS) medium, the composition of which is defined in Schramm M. and Hestrin S.1954, J. Gen. Microbiol., 11123–129, or in Costa A.S. et al.2017, Frontiers in Microbiology, 8:2027, in particular in table 1 of said document.
  • Other non-limiting examples of said mediums include variants of the HS medium, as defined in table 1 of Costa A.S. et al. 2017 supra.
  • HSA HS-ascorbic acid
  • HB Hassid-Barker
  • Yamanaka medium, Zhou’s medium Son medium, Park medium
  • M1A05P5 medium super optimal broth with catabolite, repression (SOC) medium
  • CSL-fructose CSLFru
  • FM fermentation medium
  • YPD yeast extract–peptone–dextrose
  • AB acetate buffered medium
  • MHS modified HS media
  • Joseph medium fructose-corn steep solid solution
  • fru- CSS fructose-corn steep solid solution
  • AHS altered HS
  • the culture medium that allows the growth of the bacteria that produce cellulose is HS medium, or any variant thereof, preferably HS medium.
  • step (i) of the method of the invention is performed in HS culture medium.
  • the temperature of the culture conditions suitable for the production of cellulose by the bacteria that produce cellulose is between 15-50oC, 17oC- 45oC, 20oC - 40oC, 25oC -37 oC, 27oC -35oC, 28oC -32oC, 29oC-31oC, preferably between 28oC-32oC.
  • step (i) of the method of the invention is performed at about 30oC.
  • culture conditions suitable for the production of cellulose by the bacteria that produce cellulose are static conditions or dynamic conditions.
  • static conditions refer to culture conditions wherein the flask or container that contains the bacterial culture is static, i.e. not shaken nor stirred.
  • Dynamic conditions refer to culture conditions wherein the culture medium and thus, preferably bacteria comprised in it as well, are in movement, preferably in a movement with a stable frequency.
  • dynamic conditions are performed at about 10, 20, 30, 40 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 96, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170l, 175, 180, 185, 190, 195, 200, 205, 210, 215, 220, 225, 230, 235, 240, 245, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 350, 370, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, 750, 800, 850, 900, 1000 rpm, preferably at about 180 rpm.
  • dynamic conditions are performed at 10-1000, 20-900, 30-800, 40-700, 50-600, 60-500, 70-450, 80-400, 90-350, 100-300, 110-250, 120-240, 130-230- 140-220, 150-215, 160-210, 170-205, 180-200 rpm, preferably at 180-200 rpm.
  • Said conditions can be performed by methods well-known by an expert in the field, such as by carrying bacterial culture with a shaking flask, a stirring bioreactor, a flask put in an agitated platform or a rotator.
  • dynamic culture conditions are carried with a shaking flask or with a stirring bioreactor.
  • dynamic culture conditions are carried with a shaking flask.
  • dynamic culture conditions are carried with a stirring bioreactor.
  • step (i) of the method of the invention is performed under static conditions or dynamic conditions.
  • step (i) of the method of the invention is performed under static conditions.
  • the duration of the bacterial culture in the culture conditions suitable for the production of cellulose by the bacteria that produce cellulose is of about 12h, 1 day, 1.5 days, 2 days, 2.5 days, 3 days, 3-5 days, 4 days, 4.5 days, 5 days, 5.5 days, 6 days, 6.5 days, 7 days, 7.5 days, 8 days, 8.5 days, 9 days, 9.5 days, 10 days, 1days, 12 days, 15 days, 17 days, 20 days, 25 days, 30 days, 37 days, 45 days, 52 days, 60 days, preferably of about 1 day, even more preferably of about 2 days, yet more preferably of about 3 days.
  • step (i) of the method of the invention is performed for about 1 day, even more preferably for about 2 days, yet more preferably for about 3 days.
  • the duration of the of the bacterial culture in the culture conditions suitable for the production of cellulose by the bacteria that produce cellulose is of at least any of the time periods indicated in the embodiment above.
  • step (i) of the method of the invention is performed for at least 1 day, even more preferably, for at least 2 days, yet more preferably for at least 3 days.
  • culture simultaneously with refers to the fact that the bacteria that produce BC and the probiotics are grown together forming part of the same culture.
  • the culture is first inoculated with the bacteria that produce BC and, once the bacteria have reached sufficient concentration, the culture is inoculated with the probiotics and the culture is continued during the rest of step (i).
  • the culture is first inoculated with the probiotics and, once the probiotics have reached sufficient concentration, the culture is inoculated with the bacteria that produce BC and the culture is continued during the rest of step (i).
  • the culture is inoculated substantially at the same time with the probiotics and with the bacteria that produce BC and both types of cells are allowed to grow during the remaining of step (i) of the method of the invention.
  • step (i) of the method of the invention is started by inoculation of a suspension of bacteria that produces BC and a suspension of probiotics in the culture medium.
  • the suspension of bacteria that produce BC inoculated in the culture medium to start step (i) is at an Optical Density at a wavelength of 600nM (OD600) of about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 12, preferably about 0.3.
  • the suspension of probiotics inoculated in the culture medium to start step (i) is at an OD600 of about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 12, preferably about 0.4.
  • the volume of the suspension of bacteria that produce BC inoculated in the culture medium of step (i) is about 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 7%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40%, 50% of the volume of culture medium of step (i), preferably about 10% of the volume of the culture medium of step (i).
  • the volume of the suspension of probiotics inoculated in the culture medium of step (i) is about1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 7%, 10% v/v, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40%, 50% of the volume of culture medium of step (i), preferably about 10% of the volume of culture medium of step (i) Step (i) of the method of the invention is allowed to proceed until a cellulose matrix containing the bacteria and the probiotics is formed.
  • a cellulose matrix containing the bacteria and the probiotics is considered to be formed when a cellulose matrix appears in the culture medium showing a thickness of at least 50 ⁇ m, 75 ⁇ m, 100 ⁇ m, 110 ⁇ m, 120 ⁇ m,130 ⁇ m, 140 ⁇ m, 150 ⁇ m, 160 ⁇ m, 170 ⁇ m, 180 ⁇ m, 190 ⁇ m, 200 ⁇ m, 210 ⁇ m, 220 ⁇ m, 230 ⁇ m, 240 ⁇ m, 250 ⁇ m, 260 ⁇ m, 270 ⁇ m, 280 ⁇ m, 290 ⁇ m, 300 ⁇ m, 325 ⁇ m, 350 ⁇ m, 375 ⁇ m, 400 ⁇ m, 425 ⁇ m, 450 ⁇ m, 475 ⁇ m, 500 ⁇ m, 600 ⁇ m, 700 ⁇ m, 800 ⁇ m, 900 ⁇ m, 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm,
  • the method of the invention comprises incubating the cellulose matrix obtained in step (i) in a culture medium that provides conditions which are suitable for the proliferation of the probiotics in said matrix and which are not suitable the proliferation of the aerobic bacteria.
  • the second step of the method of the invention is performed by substantially removing the culture medium with which step (i) is performed from the container in which step (i) is performed, and adding to the container where the cellulose matrix obtained from step (i) is comprised, the culture medium with which step (ii) is performed.
  • the cellulose matrix can be washed for one or more times in order to remove rests of any component found in the medium used in step (i) before adding the culture medium with which step (ii) is performed to the container where the cellulose matrix obtained from step (i) is comprised.
  • the container in which step (i) is performed is the same container in which the culture medium with which step (ii) is performed is added.
  • the container in which step (i) is performed is different from the container in which the culture medium with which step (ii) is performed is added.
  • substantially removing the culture medium with which step (i) is carried from the container under which step (i) is carried refers to removing about 100%, 99.9%, 99.8%, 99.7%, 99.6%, 99.5%, 99.4%, 99.4%, 99.3%, 99.2%, 99.1%, 99%, 98%, 97%, 96%, 95%, 94%, 93%, 92%, 91%, 90%, 89%, 87%, 85%, 82%, 80%, 75%, 72%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 50%, of the culture medium with which step (i) is carried from the container in which step (i) is carried, preferably about 100% of the culture medium with which step (i) is carried from the container in which step (i) is carried.
  • step (ii) of the method of the invention is performed byrecovering the matrix from the culture of step (i) and transferring it to a second culture vessel containing the appropriate culture medium for step (ii).
  • the cellulose matrix recovered can be washed for one or more times in order to remove rests of the any component found in the medium used in step (i).
  • the expression “conditions which are suitable for the proliferation of the probiotics in said matrix and which are not suitable the proliferation of the aerobic bacteria”, as used herein, refer to culture conditions that allow probiotics to grow, but not bacteria aerobic bacteria, preferably those referred in step (i) of the method.
  • said conditions of the culture medium of step (ii) of the method are anaerobic conditions.
  • step (ii) of the method of the invention is performed by incubating the cellulose obtained in step (i) in a culture medium under an anaerobic atmosphere.
  • anaerobic conditions are performed by placing the flask in which said bacteria are cultured in a culture room, or box with a controlled atmosphere.
  • the flask comprising the bacterial culture is hermetically sealed and the atmosphere within the flask is controlled.
  • the controlled atmosphere referred in the two previous embodiments is characterized by an oxygen concentration below 21%, 20%, 18%, 17%, 15%, 12%, 10%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.9%, 0.75%, 0.5%, 0.25%, 0.1%, 0.09%. 0.08%, 0.05%, 0.025%, 0.01%, preferably below 8%.
  • the culture medium of step (ii) of the method of the invention is selected form the group consisting of Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) medium, Reinforced Clostridial Medium (RCM), M17, Brain Heart Infusion (BHI), HANK'S medium, APT medium, LM17 medium, GM17 medium, Elliker medium,Tryptone Phytone Yeast (TPY), glucose blood liver (BL), Columbia (CLB), Liver cysteine lactose (LCL), modified MRS (mMRS), modified MRS and blood (mMRS + blood), modified BL with blood (mBL), modified RCM (mRCM), RCPB and the like.
  • MRS Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe
  • RCM Reinforced Clostridial Medium
  • M17 Reinforced Clostridial Medium
  • BHI Brain Heart Infusion
  • HANK'S medium APT medium
  • LM17 medium GM17 medium
  • Elliker medium Elliker medium
  • TPY Elliker medium
  • the culture medium to be used in step (ii) of the method of the invention is Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) medium, Reinforced Clostridial Medium (RCM), M17, Brain Heart Infusion (BHI), HANK'S medium, APT medium, LM17 medium, GM17 medium or Elliker medium.
  • the culture media to be used in step (ii) of the method includes MRS, Tryptone Phytone Yeast (TPY), glucose blood liver (BL), Columbia (CLB), Liver cysteine lactose (LCL), modified MRS (mMRS), modified MRS and blood (mMRS + blood), modified BL with blood (mBL), modified RCM (mRCM), RCPB and the like.
  • the culture medium in which step (ii) of the method of the invention is performed is MRS medium.
  • the temperature of the culture conditions that are suitable for the proliferation of the probiotics in the BC matrix and which are not suitable the proliferation of the aerobic bacteria is between 15-60oC, 17oC-50oC, 20oC - 47oC, 25oC- 45oC, 30oC-40oC, 35oC-39oC, 36oC-38oC, more preferably, between 36oC-38oC.
  • said culture conditions are performed at a temperature of about 15oC, 17oC, 20oC, 21oC, 22oC, 23oC, 24oC, 25oC, 26oC, 27oC, 27.5oC, 28oC, 28.5oC, 29oC, 29.5oC, 30oC, 30.5oC, 31oC, 31.5oC, 32oC, 32.5oC ,33oC, 33.5oC, 34oC, 34.5oC, 35oC, 36oC, 37oC, 38oC, 39oC, 40oC, 42oC, 45oC, 47oC, 50oC, 55oC, 60oC, preferably at about 37oC .
  • step (ii) of the method of the invention is performed at about 37oC.
  • culture conditions that are suitable for the proliferation of the probiotics in the BC matrix and which are not suitable the proliferation of the aerobic bacteria are static conditions, or dynamic conditions.
  • Static and dynamic culture conditions have been defined above in connection with the culture conditions of the method of the invention suitable for the production of cellulose by the bacteria that produce cellulose. Definitions and embodiments addressed to said static and dynamic culture conditions apply to the static and dynamic conditions of the culture conditions suitable for the proliferation of the probiotics in the BC matrix and which are not suitable the proliferation of the aerobic bacteria.
  • step (ii) of the method of the invention is performed under static conditions or dynamic conditions.
  • step (ii) of the method of the invention is performed under static conditions. In some embodiments, step (ii) of the method of the invention is carried out for about 12h, 1 day, 1.5 days, 2 days, 2.5 days, 3 days, 3-5 days, 4 days, 4.5 days, 5 days, 5.5 days, 6 days, 6.5 days, 7 days, 7.5 days, 8 days, 8.5 days, 9 days, 9.5 days, 10 days, 1days, 12 days, 15 days, 17 days, 20 days, 25 days, 30 days, 37 days, 45 days, 52 days, 60 days, preferably for about 1 day, even more preferably for about 2 days.
  • culture conditions that are suitable for the proliferation of the probiotics in the BC matrix and which are not suitable the proliferation of the aerobic bacteria are performed for a period of time of at least any of those indicated in the previous embodiment.
  • step (ii) of the method of the invention is performed for at least 1 day, even more preferably for at least 2 days.
  • the culture medium is renewed after about 6 h, 12h, 15h, 1day, 2 days, 2.5 days, 3 days, 3-5 days, 4 days, 4.5 days, 5 days, 5.5 days, 6 days, 6.5 days, 7 days, 7.5 days, 8 days, 8.5 days, 9 days, 9.5 days, 10 days, preferably after about 12 hours, more preferably after about 1 day.
  • culture conditions that are suitable for the proliferation of the probiotics in the BC matrix and which are not suitable for the proliferation of the aerobic bacteria are applied to the aerobic bacteria and probiotics comprised in the BC matrix obtained at the end of step (i).
  • the BC obtained at the end of step (i) is rinsed before carrying step (ii) of the method of the invention.
  • an additional step of rinsing the cellulose is carried out between step (i) and (ii).
  • the cellulose is rinsed with water.
  • the cellulose is rinsed with the same culture medium that is to be used in step (ii), such as one of the culture medium provided above for the culture conditions that are suitable for the proliferation of the probiotics in the BC matrix and which are not suitable the proliferation of the aerobic bacteria.
  • BC obtained at the end of step (i) is rinsed 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 times, preferably 1 time before carrying step (ii) of the method of the invention.
  • the aerobic bacteria that produce cellulose are the aerobic bacteria that produce the BC described in the aspect of the invention related to the biomaterial of the invention.
  • the aerobic bacteria that produce cellulose are any of the aerobic bacteria that produce BC specified in said aspect of the invention.
  • the aerobic bacteria which are used in the method of the invention are from the genus Acetobacter, Gluconacetobacter Komagataeibacter, or combinations thereof.
  • the aerobic bacteria from the genus Acetobacter are form the species A. xylinum, A. nitrogenifigens, A. orientalis or combinations thereof, preferably form the species A. xylinum.
  • the aerobic bacteria from the genus Acetobacter are from the strain deposited at the Colecissus Espa ⁇ ola de Cultivos Tipo (CECT) with accession number CECT 473.
  • the aerobic bacteria from the genus Gluconacetobacter are from the species G. hansenii, G.
  • the aerobic bacteria from the genus Komagataeibacter are from the species K. europaeus, K. medellinensis, K. intermedius, K. rhaeticus, K. kakiaceti, K. oboediens, K. nataicola, K. saccharivorans, K. maltaceti or combinations thereof.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention are as those described in the aspect related to the biomaterial of the invention.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention are facultative anaerobic bacteria.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention are aerotolerant anaerobic bacteria.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention are facultative anaerobic bacteria or aerotolerant anaerobic bacteria.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention are facultative anaerobic bacteria and/or aerotolerant anaerobic bacteria.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention as described herein are from the genus Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Pediococcus, Leuconostoc, Bacillus, Escherichia or combinations thereof.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention as described herein are from the genus Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, or combinations thereof.
  • they are from the genus Lactobacillus.
  • they are from the genus Bifidobacterium.
  • probiotics of the method of the invention that are from the genus Lactobacillus are from the species L. fermentum, L. gasseri, L. acidophilus, L. plantarum., L. rhamnosus, L. casei, L. johnsonii, L. delbrueckii, L. salivarus, or combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, they are form the species L. sumtum. In another preferred embodiment, the probiotics of the method of the invention are from the species L. gasseri. In a preferred embodiment, probiotics of the method of the invention are from the genus Lactobacillus, preferably from the species L. fermentum, L. gasseri, L. acidophilus, L.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention are from the species L. gasseri.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention that are from the species L. acidophilus are from the strain CECT 903.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention that are from the species L. plantarum are from the strain CECT 220.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention that are from the species L. rhamnosus are from the strain CECT 278.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention that are from the species Bifidobacterium are from the species B. breve, B. longum, B. animalis, B. infantum, B. animalis, lactis, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, Bifidobacterium boum, Bifidobacterium minimum, Bifidobacterium pyschraerophilum or combinations thereof.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention that are from the species Bifidobacterium are from the species B. breve, B. longum, B. animalis, B. infantum, B. animalis, or combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, they are from the species B. breve.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention are from the species B. breve.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention are from the species Bifidobacterium, preferably from the species B. breve, B. longum, B. animalis, B. infantum, B. animalis, lactis, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, Bifidobacterium boum, Bifidobacterium minimum, Bifidobacterium pyschraerophilum or combinations thereof.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention are from the species Bifidobacterium, preferably from the species B. breve, B. longum, B. animalis, B.
  • infantum, B. animalis, or combinations thereof are from the species B. breve.
  • probiotics of the method of the invention are from the species B. breve.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention that are from the species Lactococcus are from the species L. lactis.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention that are from the species Streptococcus are from the species S. thermophiles.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention that are facultative anaerobic bacteria are any of the facultative anaerobic bacteria specified in the aspect of the invention related with the biomaterial of the invention.
  • probiotics of the method of the invention that are facultative anaerobic bacteria are from the genus Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Pediococcus, Leuconostoc, Bacillus, Escherichia or combinations thereof.
  • probiotics of the method of the invention that are anaerobic facultative bacteria are from the genus Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, or combinations thereof.
  • probiotics of the method of the invention that are anaerobic facultative bacteria are from the genus Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Pediococcus, Leuconostoc, Bacillus, Escherichia or combinations thereof.
  • probiotics of the method of the invention that are anaerobic facultative bacteria are from the genus Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, or combinations thereof.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention that are facultative anaerobic bacteria that are from the genus Lactobacillus are from the species L. fermentum, L. gasseri, L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, L. casei, L. johnsonii, L. delbrueckii, L. salivarus, or combinations thereof.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention that are facultative anaerobic bacteria are form the species L. consumermtum.
  • probiotics of the method of the invention that are facultative anaerobic bacteria are from the species L. gasseri.
  • probiotics of the method of the invention are facultative anaerobic bacteria from the genus Lactobacillus, preferably from the species L. fermentum, L. gasseri, L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, L. casei, L. johnsonii, L. delbrueckii, L. salivarus, or combinations thereof.
  • probiotics of the method of the invention are facultative anaerobic bacteria from the species L. consumermtum.
  • probiotics of the method of the invention are facultative anaerobic bacteria from the species L. gasseri.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention that are aerotolerant anaerobic bacteria are any of the aerotolerant anaerobic bacteria specified in the aspect of the invention related with the biomaterial of the invention.
  • all the embodiments addressed to the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention that are aerotolerant anaerobic bacteria apply to the probiotics of the biomaterial of the invention that are aerotolerant anaerobic bacteria.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention that are aerotolerant anaerobes are from the genus Bifidobacterium.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention that are aerotolerant anaerobes that are from the genus Bifidobacterium are from the species B. breve, B. longum, B. animalis, B. infantum, B. animalis, lactis, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, Bifidobacterium boum, Bifidobacterium minimum, Bifidobacterium pyschraerophilum or combinations thereof.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention that are aerotolerant anaerobes are from the genus Bifidobacterium animalis subsp.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention that are aerotolerant anaerobes are from the genus Bifidobacterium, preferably from the species B. breve, B. longum, B. animalis, B. infantum, B. animalis or combinations thereof.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention that are aerotolerant anaerobes are from the species B. breve.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention are aerotolerant anaerobes from the genus Bifidobacterium, preferably from the species B. breve, B. longum, B. animalis, B. infantum, B. animalis, lactis, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, Bifidobacterium boum, Bifidobacterium minimum, Bifidobacterium pyschraerophilum or combinations thereof.
  • probiotics of the method of the invention are aerotolerant anaerobes from the species Bifidobacterium animalis subsp.
  • the method of the invention are aerotolerant anaerobes from the genus Bifidobacterium, preferably from the species B. breve, B. longum, B. animalis, B. infantum, B. animalis or combinations thereof.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention comprise bacteria form the genus Bifidobacterium, preferably from the species B.
  • the culture medium of step (i) of the method is enriched with cysteine.
  • said culture medium is enriched with about 1 ⁇ g/ml, 2 ⁇ g/ml, 3 ⁇ g/ml, 4 ⁇ g/ml, 5 ⁇ g/ml, 6 ⁇ g/ml, 7 ⁇ g/ml, 8 ⁇ g/ml, 9 ⁇ g/ml, 10 ⁇ g/ml, 15 ⁇ g/ml, 20 ⁇ g/ml of cysteine, preferably with about 5 ⁇ g/ml of cysteine.
  • said medium is HS medium.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention comprise bacteria form the genus Bifidobacterium, preferably from the species B. breve, and step (i) is performed in HS culture medium enriched with cysteine, preferably with about 5 ⁇ g/ml of cysteine.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention comprise bacteria from the genus Bifidobacterium, preferably from the species B. breve, and the culture medium of step (ii) of the method is enriched in cysteine.
  • said culture medium is enriched with about 1 ⁇ g/ml, 2 ⁇ g/ml, 3 ⁇ g/ml, 4 ⁇ g/ml, 5 ⁇ g/ml, 6 ⁇ g/ml, 7 ⁇ g/ml, 8 ⁇ g/ml, 9 ⁇ g/ml, 10 ⁇ g/ml, 15 ⁇ g/ml, 20 ⁇ g/ml of cysteine, preferably with about 5 ⁇ g/ml of cysteine.
  • said medium is MRS medium.
  • the probiotics of the method of the invention comprise bacteria from the genus Bifidobacterium, preferably from the species B.
  • step (ii) of the method of the invention is allowed to proceed until the amount of bacteria that produce BC comprised in a weight unit of cellulose matrix (or BC) is bellow a reference value.
  • said reference value is any of the % of bacteria that produce BC indicated in the definition of “essentially free” in the aspect of the invention related with the biomaterial of the invention.
  • the reference value is 15%, 12%, 10%, 9%, 7%, 5%, 3%, 2%, 1.7%, 1.5%, 1.4%, 1.3%, 1.2%, 1.1%, 1%, 0.9%, 0.8%, 0.7%, 0.6% 0.5%, 0.4%, 0.3%, 0.2%, 0.1%, 0.09%, 0.085%, 0.08%, 0.07%, 0.06%, 0.005%, 0.04%, 0.03%, 0.02%, 0.01%, 0.009%, 0.008%, 0.007%, 0.006%, 0.005%, 0.004%, 0.003%, 0.002%, 0.001% of cellulose producing bacteria with respect to the amount of probiotics per weight unit of BC.
  • step (ii) of the method of the invention is allowed to proceed until the amount of probiotics comprised in a weight unit of cellulose matrix (or BC) is above a reference value.
  • said reference value is any of the amount of probiotic bacteria (in CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC) indicated in any of the embodiments addressed to the amount of probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention in the aspect of the invention addressed the biomaterial of the invention.
  • the reference value is 8.7x10 10 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg BC, preferably 9.2x10 10 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, more preferably 1x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC , yet more preferably 1.2x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC , even yet more preferably 1.4 x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC, even more preferably 1.7 x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC.
  • the reference value is 1.2 x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC.
  • the reference value is 1x10 11 CFU of probiotic bacteria per mg of BC.
  • step (ii) of the method of the invention is allowed to proceed for any of the time periods indicated in any of the embodiments above.
  • the definitions and embodiments of the previous aspect of the invention apply to the method of the invention. 3.
  • a third aspect of the invention relates to a biomaterial obtained or obtainable by the method of the second aspect of the invention.
  • biomaterial is referred to as the biomaterial obtained by the method of the invention.
  • said biomaterial is as the biomaterial of the invention.
  • all the definitions, descriptions and embodiments of the aspect of the invention related with the biomaterial of the invention apply to the biomaterial obtained by the method of the invention.
  • said method is as defined and described in the aspect of the invention related with the method of the invention.
  • the definitions and embodiments provided in any of the aspects above apply to the biomaterial obtained by the method of the invention. 4.
  • Medical uses and pharmaceutical compositions of the invention The authors of the present invention have observed that the biomaterial of the invention containing BC and probiotics shows antibacterial activity against bacteria that are common pathogens and cause infectious diseases (in particular against S.
  • a fourth aspect of the invention relates to the biomaterial of the first or third aspect of the invention, for use in medicine.
  • a fifth aspect of the invention relates to the biomaterial of the first or third aspect of the invention, for use in the treatment of a wound or of a bacterial infection. Said medical uses are herein referred to as the medical uses of the invention.
  • a sixth aspect of the invention refers to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the biomaterial of the first or third aspect of the invention, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • Treatment means a method of reducing the effects of a disease or condition.
  • Treatment can also refer to a method of reducing the disease or condition itself rather than just the symptoms.
  • the treatment can be any reduction from pre- treatment levels and can be but is not limited to the complete ablation of the disease, condition, or the symptoms of the disease or condition. Therefore, in the disclosed methods, treatment” can refer to a 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% reduction in the severity of an established disease or condition, or the disease or health condition progression.
  • a disclosed method for reducing the effects of a bacterial infection is considered to be a treatment if there is a 10% reduction in one or more symptoms of the infection in a subject with the infection when compared to pre-treatment levels in the same subject or control subjects.
  • the reduction can be a 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100%, or any amount of reduction in between as compared to native or control levels.
  • treatment does not necessarily refer to a cure of the disease or condition, but an improvement in the outlook of a disease or condition (e.g. bacterial vaginosis, impetigo, bacterial cellulitis, mastitits, etc).
  • wound refers to an injury to a living tissue caused by a cut, blow, or other impact, wherein the skin is typically cut or broken.
  • the wound is infected, preferably by bacteria.
  • the bacterial infection of said wound is as the bacterial infections described below.
  • infection refers to a condition characterized by the invasion of an organism’s tissue of a subject (the host), preferably a human, by a disease-causing, or pathogenic, microorganism, its growth and multiplication.
  • Pathogenic microorganisms include bacteria, virus, fungi and parasites.
  • infection refers to an infection caused by bacteria, or to a bacterial infection.
  • bacterial infection refers to an infection in a living tissue of a subject, preferably of a human, wherein the microorganisms that cause the infection are bacteria.
  • Non-limiting examples of bacteria that cause bacterial infections are bacteria from the genus Staphylococus, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus, Salmonella, Neisseria, Brucella, Mycobacterium, Nocardia, Listeria, Francisella, Legionella, and bacteria from the species Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cenocepacia, Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Escherichia colli, Yersinia pestis, or combinations thereof.
  • bacteria referred in the medical uses of the invention are caused by any of the just mentioned bacteria.
  • bacteria infections referred in the medical uses of the invention are caused by a combination of bacteria form those just mentioned.
  • bacterial infections referred in the present invention are caused by bacteria selected from the group consisting of bacteria from the genus Staphylococus, bacteria from the genus Pseudomonas, and a combination of bacteria form the genus Staphylococus and from the genus Pseudomonas.
  • the bacteria from the genus Staphylococcus are from the species Staphylococcus aureus.
  • the bacteria from the genus Pseudomonas are from the species Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  • bacterial infections referred in the present invention are caused by a combination of Staphylococcus aureus and of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  • the infection referred in the medical uses of the invention is caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  • the infection is a topical infection.
  • topical infection refers to an infection of a surface of the body. It thus refers to infections of the skin, or of any mucosa.
  • macous membrane or “mucosa”, as used herein, includes a membrane that lines various cavities in the body and covers the surface of internal organs.
  • It consists of one or more layers of epithelial cells overlying a layer of loose connective tissue. It is mostly of endodermal origin and is continuous with the skin at various body openings such as the eyes, ears, inside the nose, inside the mouth, lip, vagina, the urethral opening and the anus.
  • Non-limiting examples of mucosa include bronchial mucosa and the lining of vocal folds, endometrium, esophageal mucosa, gastric mucosa, intestinal mucosa, nasal mucosa, olfactory mucosa, oral mucosa, penile mucosa, vaginal mucosa, frenulum of tongue, tongue, anal canal, palpebral conjunctiva, urinary tract mucosa, bladder mucosa.
  • Non-limiting examples of topical infection include infections of the skin, mastitis, otitis, ecthyma, erythema, erysipelas, bacterial cellulitis, folicullitis, furunculosis, hydrosadenitis, paronychia, infection in atopic dermatitis, superinfection in atopic dermatitis, conjunctivitis, staphylococcal blepharitis, wound infection, a burn infection., bacterial vaginosis, infection from the urinary tract, infection of cardiac valves, or in some case, infection of a joint.
  • said infections are bacterial infections.
  • the infection is an infection of a soft tissue.
  • soft tissue refers to tissues that connect, support, or surround other structures and organs of the body, not being hard tissue such as a bone.
  • Soft tissue includes tendons, ligaments, fascia, skin, fibrous tissues, fat, synovial membranes (which are connective tissue), muscles, nerves and blood vessels (which are not connective tissue).
  • infections of a soft tissue include any of those referred in the definition of topical infection, and in particular, bacterial vaginosis, infection from the urinary tract, infection of cardiac valves, or in some case, infection of a joint.. In a preferred embodiment, said infections are bacterial infections.
  • the bacterial infection is an infection of a non-soft tissue, such as a bone, a part of the joint that is not a soft tissue (such as cartilage or synovial fluid), or a prosthesis.
  • a non-soft tissue such as a bone, a part of the joint that is not a soft tissue (such as cartilage or synovial fluid), or a prosthesis.
  • non-limiting examples of such infections include infection of artificial cardiac valves, bone infection, or joint infection.
  • said infections are bacterial infections.
  • the bacterial infection referred in the medical uses of the invention is selected from the group consisting of bacterial vaginosis, mastitis, and otitis, impetigo, ecthyma, erythema, erysipelas, bacterial cellulitis, folicullitis, furunculosis, hydrosadenitis, paronychia, infection in atopic dermatitis, superinfection in atopic dermatitis, ocular infection, infection from the urinary tract, infection of cardiac valves, infection of artificial cardiac valves, bone infection, joint infection, wound infection, and a burn infection.
  • bacterial vaginosis refers to a health condition considered as the most frequent cause of vaginal disorders in women of reproductive age.
  • the most common symptoms of this infection are the dense abnormal vaginal discharge, pain, itching and an unpleasant odor.
  • BV is characterized by the alteration of the normal balance of the vaginal microbiota, and the pathological condition typically referred to as ‘vaginal dysbiosis’.
  • the native microbiota helps to create a protective barrier for vaginal mucosa against infections.
  • the healthy microbiota is sensitive to several factors, in particular, to changes in the pH of the mucosa, which can unbalance the microbial populations, favoring the appearance of infection-causing microbes.
  • the health of the vaginal microbiota is believed to be maintained by lactic acid- producing organisms, such as Lactobacilli. It has been reported that:S aureus is the most prevalent cause of BV, followed by E. Coli. P. aeruginosa has also been identified as a cause of BV.
  • Onset is typically fairly rapid and usually occurs within the first few months of delivery. Risk factors include poor latch, cracked nipples, use of a breast pump, and weaning. Complications can include abscess formation. The bacteria most commonly involved are Staphylococcus and Streptococci, in particular Staphylococcus aureus. Diagnosis is typically based on symptoms. Ultrasound may be useful for detecting a potential abscess.
  • otitis refers to a health condition characterized by the inflammation of the ear, generally caused by a bacterial infection. It can be subdivided in otitis externa, otitis media and otitis interna or labyrinthitis.
  • otitis externa refers to an otitis that involves the outer ear and ear canal. In external otitis, the ear hurts when touched or pulled.
  • otitis media or “middle ear infection”, refers to an otitis that involves the middle ear. In otitis media, the ear is infected or clogged with fluid behind the ear drum, in the normally air-filled middle-ear space. This very common childhood infection sometimes requires a surgical procedure called myringotomy and tube insertion.
  • otitis interna or “labyrinthitis”, refers to an otitis that involves the inner ear.
  • the inner ear includes sensory organs for balance and hearing.
  • vertigo is a common symptom. It has been reported that the most prevalent cause of otitis is S. aureus or P. aeruginosa.
  • ecthyma refers to refers to a health condition which is a variation of impetigo, presenting at a deeper erosion of the skin, such as erosions into the dermis. It is well known to be caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (such as Streptococcus pyogenes or Streptococcus dysgalactiae). Concomitant Staphylococcus aureus is often isolated from lesional skin. On occasion, S aureus alone has been isolated. It is often referred to as a deeper form of impetigo.
  • erythema refers to a health condition characterized by redness of the skin or mucous membranes, caused by hyperemia (increased blood flow) in superficial capillaries. It occurs with any skin injury, infection, or inflammation. It ca be caused by infection, which can cause the capillaries to dilate, resulting in redness. Erythema disappears on finger pressure (blanching). It can be caused by bacteria from the genus Staphylococus bacteria, in particular by S. aureus.
  • erysipelas refers to a health condition characterized by a bacterial infection of the upper dermis extending to the subcutaneous lymphatic vessels which causes a rash characterized by a well-defined area or areas of bright red, inflamed and rough or leathery skin. It usually affects skin on the face, arms, legs, hands and feet. It is generally caused by beta-hemolytic group A Streptococcus bacteria (such as streptococus pyogenes, or streptococcus dysgalactiae) on scratches or otherwise infected areas. It can also be caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
  • Erysipelas is more superficial than cellulitis, and is typically more raised and demarcated.
  • the expression “bacterial cellulitis” or “cellulitis”, as used herein, refers to a health condition characterized by a bacterial infection involving the inner layers of the skin. It specifically affects the dermis and subcutaneous fat. Signs and symptoms include an area of redness which increases in cm over a few days. The borders of the area of redness are generally not sharp and the skin may be swollen. While the redness often turns white when pressure is applied, this is not always the case. The area of infection is usually painful. Lymphatic vessels may occasionally be involved, and the person may have a fever and feel tired.
  • the legs and face are the most common sites involved, though cellulitis can occur on any part of the body.
  • the leg is typically affected following a break in the skin. Other risk factors include obesity, leg swelling, and old age.
  • Other risk factors include obesity, leg swelling, and old age.
  • For facial infections a break in the skin beforehand is not usually the case.
  • the bacteria most commonly involved are Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus.
  • furunculosis or “carbuncle”, as used herein, refers to a health condition characterized by a cluster of boils typically filled with purulent exudate (dead neutrophils, phagocytized bacteria, and other cellular components), caused by bacterial infection, most commonly with Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. Carbuncles may develop anywhere, but they are most common on the back and the nape of the neck.
  • hidrosadenitis is a long-term skin disease characterized by the occurrence of inflamed and swollen lumps. These are typically painful and break open, releasing fluid or pus. The areas most commonly affected are the underarms, under the breasts, and groin. Scar tissue remains after healing. Staphylococci and Streptococci, in particular S.
  • bacteria that cause this type of infection are from the genus Staphylococus and Streptococus, in particular from the species Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Infection is in part due to the breaks in the skin resulting from the atopic dermatitis, i.e. very dry, split skin and from scratching the itchy areas. Additionally, the immunological profile of atopy favors colonization by these bacteria, which are present in most patients with atopic dermatitis, even in the absence of skin lesions.
  • infection of an atopic dermatitis lesion as just defined occurs simultaneously with, or after the treatment of, another infection (caused by the same bacteria, or by another microorganism, such as another bacteria, a virus or fungi), it is referred herein as a “superinfection in atopic dermatitis”.
  • said superinfection is caused by the bacteria indicated above in the definition of “infection in atopic dermatitis”.
  • the expression “ocular infection”, as used herein, refers to a health condition characterized by an infection that affects any part of the eye ball or surrounding area.
  • said infection is a bacterial infection as defined above.
  • conjunctivitis or “pink eye”, as used herein, refers to a health condition characterized by inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye. It can be caused by a bacterial infection, viral infection, allergy, eye trauma, or a foreign body in the eye. In a particular embodiment, conjunctivitis is caused by a bacterial infection.
  • Bacterial conjunctivitis causes the rapid onset of conjunctival redness, swelling of the eyelid, and a sticky discharge, especially after sleep, which may be opaque, greyish or yellowish.
  • Common bacteria responsible for bacterial conjunctivitis are bacteria from the genus Staphylococcus (such as S. aureus), Streptococcus (such as S. pneumoniae), Pseudomonas (such as P. auruginosa) Haemophilus species. Less commonly, Chlamydia spp.
  • staphylococcal blepharitis refers to a type of blepharitis caused by bacteria from the genus staphylococcus, wherein blepharitis refers to refers to a health condition characterized by an inflammation of the eyelids in which they become red, irritated and itchy and dandruff-like scales form on the eyelashes. In most cases, staphylococcal blepharitis is caused by S. aureus.
  • infection from the urinary tract refers to a health condition characterized by an infection of the urinary tract, which includes kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra.
  • urethra When it affects the urethra it is known as urethritis.
  • cystitis When it affects the bladder, it is known as cystitis.
  • pyelonephritis It can be caused by bacteria, virus or yeast, although in most cases, it is caused by bacteria.
  • Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli (most commonly), Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae cause most bladder and urethra infections.
  • Gram-positive pathogens associated with urinary tract infection include the coagulase-negative Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Staphylococus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Streptococcus agalactiae.
  • the expression “infection of cardiac valves”, or “infective endocarditis”, as used herein, refers to a health condition characterized by an infection of the inner surface of the heart, in particular the valves. It is typically caused by bacteria. Bacteria that commonly cause infective endocarditis include Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococus viridans and coagulase negative staphylococci.
  • the viridans group include S. oralis, S. mitis, S. sanguis, S. gordonii and S. parasanguis. In some cases, it is caused by bacteria from the genus Pseudomona, in particular by P. auruginosa.
  • bone infection or “osteomyelitis”, as used herein, refers to a condition or disease, wherein a microorganism, such as bacteria, fungi or virus, invades a bone.
  • a microorganism such as bacteria, fungi or virus
  • a bone infection may result from blood stream spread of a microorganism that previously infected another region of an organism. The most common cause of bone infection is S. aureus bacteria.
  • joint infection refers to a health condition characterized by an infection of a tissue and/or biological liquid of a joint (such as cartilage, synovial membrane, ligaments, tendons, bursas, synovial fluid, meniscus). It can be cause by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Most commonly, joints become infected via the blood stream but may also become infected via trauma or an infection around the joint.
  • Joint infection is most often caused by bacteria, in particular by bacteria from the genus Staphylococcus, such as S. aureus or coagulase-negative Staphylococci, Streptococcus, such as S. pyogenes, S. pneumoniae, or group B streptococci, Pseudomonas, such as P. aeruginosa, Salmonella or Brucella, or from the species E. coli, or Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitides, or M. tuberculosis.
  • joint infection is caused by bacteria, preferably from one of the aforementioned bacteria.
  • infection of a wound refers to a health condition characterized in that pathogenic microorganisms have grown and/or are growing in a wound.
  • Said pathogenic microorganisms include bacteria, virus, fungi and parasites.
  • it refers to a wound infected by bacteria.
  • a wound can be infected by any of the bacteria present in the environment, and thus include any of the bacteria cited in the different aspects of the invention.
  • the wound infection is caused by S. aureus or P. aeruginosa.
  • the wound infection is a surgical wound infection.
  • Bacterial causing said infection are any of those mentioned above for a wound infection.
  • the expression “infection of a burn”, as used herein, refers to a health condition characterized in that pathogenic microorganisms are have grown and/or are growing in a burn. Said pathogenic microorganisms include bacteria, virus, fungi and parasites. In a particular embodiment, it refers to a burn infected by bacteria.
  • bacteria that can cause an infection of a burn include any of the bacteria cited in the different aspects of the invention.
  • the wound infection is caused by S. aureus or P. aeruginosa.
  • aureus include bacterial vaginosis, mastitis, otitis, impetigo, ecthyma, erythema, erysipelas, bacterial cellulitis, folicullitis, furunculosis, hydrosadenitis, paronychia, infection in atopic dermatitis, superinfection in atopic dermatitis, ocular infection, conjunctivitis, staphylococcal blepharitis, infection from the urinary tract, infection of cardiac valves, infection of artificial cardiac valves, bone infection, joint infection, wound infection, and a burn infection.
  • bacterial infections caused by P.
  • aeruginosa include bacterial vaginosis, mastitis, otitis, impetigo, ecthyma, erythema, erysipelas, bacterial cellulitis, folicullitis, furunculosis, hydrosadenitis, paronychia, infection in atopic dermatitis, superinfection in atopic dermatitis, ocular infection, conjunctivitis, staphylococcal blepharitis, infection from the urinary tract, infection of cardiac valves, infection of artificial cardiac valves, bone infection, joint infection, wound infection, and a burn infection.
  • the biomaterial of the invention or the biomaterial obtained by the method of the invention, is for use in the prevention of any of the aforementioned conditions or diseases.
  • said medical use is also herein referred when using the expression “medical use of the invention”.
  • prevention refers to any methodology where the health condition or disease does not occur due to the actions of the methodology (such as, for example, administration of the biomaterial of the invention).
  • prevention can also mean that the disease or condition is not established to the extent that occurs in untreated controls. For example, there can be a 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100% reduction in the establishment of the disease or condition frequency relative to untreated controls. Accordingly, prevention of a disease or condition encompasses a reduction in the likelihood that a subject will develop the disease or condition, relative to an untreated subject (e.g. a subject who does not receive the biomaterial of the invention).
  • the medical uses of the invention comprise the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of the biomaterial of the invention, or of the biomaterial obtained by the method of the invention.
  • therapeutically effective amount refers to the sufficient amount of the biomaterial of the invention, or to a sample of said biomaterial of the size required for the biomaterial to provide the desired effect. It will generally be determined by, among other causes, the characteristics of the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial and the therapeutic effect to be achieved. It will also depend on the subject to be treated, the severity of the disease or health condition suffered by said subject, the chosen size and dose form, etc. For this reason, the doses mentioned in this invention must be considered only as guides for the person skilled in the art, who must adjust the doses depending on the aforementioned variables.
  • the effective amount produces the amelioration of one or more symptoms of the disease or condition that is being treated, for example, the reduction of the amount of pathogenic microorganism or bacteria present in the infected tissue or body region of the subject, or a reduction in the growth rate of said pathogens in said tissue or body region.
  • subject is used herein to describe a human or an animal. In the context of the embodiments of the present products, formulations, and processes, "subject” denotes a mammal, such as a human, to whom the biomaterial are administered. As it will be understood, when the disease to be treated is related to female organs, the subject to be treated is a female.
  • the subject when the bacterial infection referred in the medical use of the invention is bacterial vaginosis, the subject is a female.
  • the biomaterial of the invention or the biomaterial obtained by the method of the invention has to be formulated so that, once administered, the probiotics of the biomaterial of the invention, or the modifications said probiotics do in their external media, affect the tissue or body region to be treated.
  • the biomaterial of the invention is administered topically.
  • topical administration refers to the application of a product on a body surfaces such as the skin or mucous membranes.
  • the term “mucous membrane” or “mucosa”, has been defined above.
  • topical administration refers to the local administration in a region of the skin or of any of the tissues referred in the definition of “mucosa” above.
  • the biomaterial of the invention is administered locally in the infected body region or tissue.
  • said body region nor tissue is a mucosa, a soft tissue, a bone, a joint or a tissue in contact with a prosthesis.
  • joint refers to the area where two bones are attached for the purpose of permitting body parts to move. It is also known as articulation. It is commonly formed by cartilage, ligaments, tendons, synovial membrane, bursas, synovial fluid, and/or meniscus.
  • the biomaterial of the invention or obtained by the method of the invention is administered locally in the joint, it is applied to any of the elements of the joint just indicated.
  • the biomaterial is thus preferably in the form of a patch, to be applied in the infected body region or tissue area.
  • the term “patch”, as used herein, refers to an adhesive medicated product that is placed on the skin or mucosa of a subject, so to deliver a specific dose of therapeutically active component through the skin and into the bloodstream.
  • the patch provides a controlled release of the therapeutically active component into the patient.
  • therapeutically active component refers to the component of a medicament, product, or pharmaceutical composition that directly or indirectly elicits the therapeutic activity of said medicament, product or composition when administered to a subject in need thereof. It thus does not include carriers, diluents, vehicles, adjuvants or the like.
  • the therapeutically active component of the biomaterial of the invention or of the biomaterial obtained by the method of the invention are the probiotics comprised in said biomaterial. In another particular embodiments it is the components liberated by said probiotics.
  • lactic acid bacteria such as bacteria from the genus Lactobacillus (in particular the species of Lactobacillus specified in any of the aspects above), are known for their capacity to liberate lactic acid in the medium. Lactic acid decreases the pH of the media. For instance, as shown in Example 3 below, bacteria from the genus Lactobacillus can drop the pH of their surrounding media from pH 7 to pH 4.
  • the therapeutically active component of the biomaterial of the invention or of the biomaterial obtained by the method of the invention the lactic acid excreted by the probiotics comprised in said biomaterial.
  • the size of the patch can vary with the size of the infection, the dose required, or the area to be treated.
  • the patch has an area of 1 m2, 750 cm 2 , 500 cm 2 , 400 cm 2 , 300 cm 2 , 200 cm 2 , 100 cm 2 , 90 cm 2 , 80 cm 2 , 70 cm 2 , 60 cm 2 , 50 cm 2 , 40 cm 2 , 30 cm 2 , 25 cm 2 , 20 cm 2 , 15 cm 2 , 12 cm 2 , 10 cm 2 , 8 cm 2 , 5 cm 2 , 4 cm 2 , 2 cm 2 , 1 cm 2 , 0.5 cm 2 , preferably, of 12 cm 2 .
  • the thickness is of 0.1mm, 0.2mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.8 mm, 0.9 mm, 1 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.7 mm, 2 mm, 2.2 mm, 2.5 mm, 2.7 mm, 3 mm, 3.5 mm, 4 mm ,4.5 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9
  • the patch is circular, rectangular, square, star-shaped, or with an irregular shape. In a preferred embodiment, it has a circular shape.
  • Said patch may be provided with no additional substances or with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition, comprising the biomaterial of the invention, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • the biomaterial of the pharmaceutical composition of the invention may be formulated as a patch.
  • the invention relates to the pharmaceutical composition of the invention for use in medicine.
  • the invention relates to the pharmaceutical composition of the invention for use in the treatments specified in the present aspect of the invention.
  • said medical uses are also herein referred when using the expression “medical uses of the invention”.
  • pharmaceutical product is understood in its widely meaning in this description, including any composition that comprises an active ingredient, in this case, the strains of the invention preferably in form of composition, together with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.
  • pharmaceutical product is not limited to medicaments.
  • pharmaceutically acceptable as used herein pertains to compounds, materials, compositions, and/or dosage forms which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of a subject (e.g. human) without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problem or complication, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.
  • composition is understood in its widely meaning in this description, including any composition that comprises an active ingredient, in this case, the probiotics of comprised in the biomaterial invention or even the biomaterial of the invention, preferably in form of composition, together with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.
  • pharmaceutical composition is not limited to medicaments.
  • pharmaceutically acceptable refers to compounds, materials, compositions, and/or dosage forms which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of a subject (e.g. human) without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problem or complication, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.
  • “Pharmaceutically acceptable carrier”, or “pharmaceutically acceptable excipient”, as used herein, refers to a therapeutically inactive substance to be used for incorporating the active ingredient and which is acceptable for the patient from a pharmacological toxicological point of view and for the pharmaceutical chemist who manufactures it from a physical/chemical point of view with respect to the composition, formulation, stability, acceptation of the patient and bioavailability.
  • the number and the nature of the pharmaceutically acceptable excipients depend on the desired dosage form.
  • the pharmaceutically acceptable excipients are known by the person skilled in the art (Fauli y Trillo C. (1993) "Tratado de Farmacia Galenica", Luzan 5, S.A. Ediations, Madrid).
  • compositions can be prepared by means of the conventional methods known in the state of the art ("Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy", 20th edition (2003) Genaro A.R., ed., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, US).
  • the therapeutically active component of the pharmaceutical composition comprise, essentially comprise, or consists of the probiotics comprised in the biomaterial of the invention, or in the biomaterial obtained by the method of the invention, and the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprise, essentially comprise, or consists of the BC of the invention.
  • the biomaterial referred in the medical uses of the invention, as well as the pharmaceutical composition of the invention may also be formulated as a crème, or ointment.
  • the biomaterial is provided in the form of several microparticles, comprising each microparticle the BC and the probiotics entrapped in it.
  • it can comprise an oily substance originating from vegetable, marine or animal sources.
  • Suitable liquid oil includes saturated, unsaturated or polyunsaturated oils.
  • the unsaturated oil may be olive oil, corn oil, soybean oil, canola oil, cottonseed oil, coconut oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil, borage seed oil, syzigium aromaticum oil, hempseed oil, herring oil, cod-liver oil, salmon oil, flaxseed oil, wheat germ oil, evening primrose oils or mixtures thereof, in any proportion.
  • These creams or ointments may further comprise poly-unsaturated fatty acids.
  • said unsaturated fatty acids are selected from the group of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
  • polyunsaturated fatty acids examples include linoleic and linolenic acid, gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
  • GLA gamma-linoleic acid
  • EPA eicosapentaenoic acid
  • DHA docosahexaenoic acid
  • unsaturated fatty acids are known for their skin-conditioning effect, which contribute to the therapeutic benefit of the composition.
  • the composition can include at least 6 percent of an oil selected from omega-3 oil, omega-6 oil, and mixtures thereof.
  • the essential oils which are also considered therapeutically active oils, which contain active biologically occurring molecules and, upon topical application, exert a therapeutic effect, which is conceivably synergistic to the beneficial effect of the probiotic mixture in the composition.
  • silicone oils include liquid hydrophobic plant-derived oils, which are known to possess therapeutic benefits when applied topically. Silicone oils also may be used and are desirable due to their known skin protective and occlusive properties. Suitable silicone oils include non-volatile silicones, such as polyalkyl siloxanes, polyaryl siloxanes, polyalkylaryl siloxanes and polyether siloxane copolymers, polydimethylsiloxanes (dimethicones) and poly(dimethylsiloxane)-(diphenyl-siloxane) copolymers. These are chosen from cyclic or linear polydimethylsiloxanes containing from about 3 to about 9, preferably from about 4 to about 5, silicon atoms.
  • Volatile silicones such as cyclomethicones can also be used. Silicone oils are also considered therapeutically active oils, due to their barrier retaining and protective properties.
  • the composition may also be in the form of a capsule or tablet, in particular when addressed to vaginal, oral or anal administration.
  • the biomaterial referred in the medical uses of the invention or in the pharmaceutical composition of the invention may be in the form of several microparticles as well.
  • the term "capsule" refers to a hard shell pharmaceutical capsule. The capsule consists of a body and cap and may comprise a fill formulation containing the probiotic composition.
  • Capsules suitable for use according to the invention include, without limitation NPcapsCR' available from Capsugel which contain pullulan, carageenan and potassium chloride, as well as capsules described in US Patent No. 8, 105,625 and US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0249676.
  • capsules for use according to the invention comprise pullulan with a molecular weight between about 50 to 500 kDa, between 100 to 400 kDa, between about 150 to 300 kDa and preferably between about 180 and 250 kDa.
  • capsules for use according to the invention comprise pullulan from about 50 percent to about 100 percent by weight (unfilled capsule).
  • the capsules comprise about 60 to 90 or 70 to 90, or 80 to 90 wt percent pullulan. Preferably the capsules comprise about 85 to 90 wt percent pullulan.
  • Capsules for use according to the invention may further comprise (in addition to pullulan) one or more gelling agents (e.g.
  • hydrocolloids or polysaccharides such as alginates, agar gum, guar gum, carob, carrageenan, tara gum, gum arabic, pectin, xanthan and the like); salts comprising cations such as K, Li, Na, NH4, Ca, Mg; and/or surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulphate, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, cetrimide, fatty acid sugar esters, glycerl monooleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyvinylalcohol, dimethylpolysiloxan, sorbitan esters or lecithin.
  • salts comprising cations such as K, Li, Na, NH4, Ca, Mg
  • surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulphate, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, benzalkonium chloride,
  • Capsules for use according to the invention may further comprise one or more plasticizing agents (e.g. glycerol, propylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, sorbitol, maltitol and the like); dissolution enhancing agents (e.g. maltose, lactose, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol and the like); strengthening agents (e.g. polydextrose, cellulose, maltodextrin, gelatin, gums and the like); colorants, and/or opacifiers as described in US Patent No.8, 105,625.
  • plasticizing agents e.g. glycerol, propylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, sorbitol, maltitol and the like
  • dissolution enhancing agents e.g. maltose, lactose, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol and the like
  • the capsule comprises pullulan in an amount of 85 percent to 90 percent by weight, potassium chloride in an amount of 1.0 percent to 1.5 percent by weight, carrageenan in an amount of 0.1 percent to 0.4 percent by weight, one or more surfactants in an amount of 0.1 percent to 0.2 percent by weight and water in an amount of 10 percent to 15 percent by weight.
  • the biomaterial referred in the medical uses of the invention and in the pharmaceutical composition of the invention is supplied as a powder, i.e. in the form of several microparticles, and can be administered by a suitable applicator.
  • the biomaterial formulation may be supplied as a component of a kit, which includes an applicator.
  • the formulation may be pre-packaged in the applicator, or supplied as a separate item of the kit.
  • the biomaterial is incorporated into vaginal tampons, or suppository.
  • a kit comprising the tampons or suppositories optionally includes one or more applicators.
  • Suitable dosage forms also include vaginal suppositories, including capsules and tablets, which can be administered by with or without a suitable applicator.
  • the choice of the dosage form depends on a variety of factors. For example, the chosen dosage form should ensure stability of the formulation's ingredients during storage, convenient administration and quick delivery of the formulation in the environment of the cavity where it is to be applied.
  • the dosage form of the formulations should not detrimentally affect viability or allow premature (prior to administration) reconstitution of the probiotic components of the formulation.
  • the dosage form should not contain water.
  • the dosage form should allow for quick dispersion or dissolution of the formulation's ingredients in the environment of the cavity upon administration.
  • the administration can be chronic or intermittent, as deemed appropriate by the supervising practitioner, particularly in view of any change in the disease state or any undesirable side effects. "Chronic" administration refers to administration of the composition in a continuous manner while “intermittent" administration refers to treatment that is done with interruption.
  • the biomaterial referred in the medical uses of the invention or the pharmaceutical composition of the invention may be administered for at least 1 day, at least 3 days, at least 6 days, or as prescribed by a physician or until the improvement or reduction of the symptoms is achieved, in particular, a reduction of the infection as defined above.
  • the biomaterial referred in the medical uses of the invention or the pharmaceutical composition of the invention may be administered in an amount of 1-5 doses per day, preferably 1 dose per day. It can also include 1 dose every 2 days, every 3 days, every 4 days, every 5 days, every 6 days, every week, every 10 days, or every 2 weeks. In another particular embodiment, it is administered in said amount during any of the periods indicated just above.
  • the effective amount of colony forming units (CFU) for the probiotic strains in the composition to be administered will be determined by the skilled in the art and will depend upon the final formulation. For instance, when administered orally without any other active agent, the total amount of the probiotics present in a single dose of the biomaterial or composition is that giving an effective daily dose of from 107 to 1012 CFU, according to the current legislation, preferably from 109 to 1011 CFU. When administered as a patch, vaginally or rectally, said amount is that giving an effective daily dose of from 103 to 1012 CFU, preferably from 105 to 1010 CFU.
  • colony forming unit (“CFU") is defined as number of bacterial cells as revealed by microbiological counts on agar plates.
  • Food supplements usually contain probiotic strains in an amount ranging from 107 and 1012 CFU/g.
  • the composition of the invention is a food supplement for daily doses comprising between 109-1011 CFU/g.
  • the definitions and embodiments provided in any of the aspects above apply to the medical uses of the invention and to the pharmaceutical composition of the invention. 5.
  • a seventh aspect of the invention relates to a coated food product which comprises: (i) a biomaterial according to the first or third aspect of the invention, and (ii) an edible filling composition, wherein the biomaterial (i) coats the filling composition (ii).
  • Said coated food product is herein referred to as the coated food product of the invention.
  • An additional aspect, the invention relates to the use of the biomaterial of the first or third aspect of the invention as a coat in a coated food product. Said use is herein referred to as the first use of the invention.
  • the term “food product”, as used herein refers to any product that is edible by a subject. The term subject has been defined above, and refers to an animal, preferably a human.
  • the term “edible”, as used herein refers to a product that can be chewed, and swallowed, or directly swallowed, and that is non-toxic for the aforementioned subject.
  • Food products comprise any of the products described in the embodiments bellow in connection with the edible filing composition of the coated food product of the invention.
  • coated food product refers to any food product that comprises a coat. Said food product is thus composed of a coat and an edible filling composition.
  • coat refers to a packaging with barrier properties, that reduce gases and water vapor exchanges between the food and the surrounding environment, decreasing the rates of chemical, physical and microbiological changes. In some cases, the coat may also comprise chemical or biological properties that contribute to decreases the aforementioned changes. Therefore, generally the coat extends food stability and assures its quality/safety during shelf life.
  • Transparency of the coat is also a characteristic that can be desirable for a coated food product, so that the consumer can see the food product and its aspect.
  • the term “filling”, “filling composition”, or “edible filling composition”, as used herein, refers to the edible product that is surrounded by the coat in the food product.
  • the filling composition comprises animal matter, vegetables, cereals, fruits or combinations thereof.
  • it also comprises juices and/or syrups.
  • it also comprises an additive or several additives accepted by the corresponding food security agency, such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the US Food and drug Agency (FDA), or by the World Health Organization (WHO).
  • EFSA European Food Safety Authority
  • FDA US Food and drug Agency
  • WHO World Health Organization
  • animal matter refers to any product, preferably meat, derived from an animal.
  • Said animal can be American bison, carabao, cattle, water buffalo, domesticated yak, springbok, greater kudu, gemsbok, impala, alpaca, llama, camel, Dog (Kuro, Poi dog, Nureongi, Xoloitzcuintle), coat, moose, reindeer, red deer, fallow deer, elk, cat, donkey, horse, rabbit, hare, kangoroo, sheep, guinea pig, edible dormouse, coypu, capybara, rat, domestic pig, wild boar, frog, chicken, Cornish game hen, duck, goose, turkey, quail, pigeon, guineafowl, ostrich, or emu.
  • the filling composition comprises animal matter and said animal matter comprises red meat, meat from pork, poultry, fish or combinations thereof.
  • red meat refers to the term commonly known by an expert in the field.
  • Non-limiting examples of red meat include meat from beef, lamb, goat, bison, horse, venison, etc.
  • poultry animals include chicken, Cornish game hen, duck, goose, turkey, quail, pigeon, guineafowl, ostrich, or emu.
  • meat from fish includes meat from any fish usually used in the diet of a subject, preferably humans.
  • Non-limiting examples of said fish include anchovies, barracuda, Basa, Bass, Black cod/Sablefish, Blowfish, Bluefish, Bombay duck, Bream, Brill, Butter fish, Catfish, Cod, Dogfish, Dorade, Eel, Flounder, Grouper, Haddock, Hake, Halibut, Herring, Ilish, John Dory, Lamprey, Lingcod, Mackerel, Mahi, Monkfish, Mullet, Orange roughy, Parrotfish, Patagonian toothfish, Perch, Pike, Pilchard, Pollock, Pomfret, Pompano, Sablefish, Salmon, Sanddab, particularly Pacific sanddab, Sardine, Sea bass, Shad, Shark, Skate, Smelt, Snakehead, Snapper, Sole, Sprat, Sturgeon, Surimi, Swordfish, Tilapia, Tilefish, Trout, Tuna, Turbot, Wahoo, Whitefish, Whiting, Witch, Whitebait.
  • the animal matter also refers to products from insects, including chapulines, aguey worm, mopane worm, silkworm, locust, grasshopper. In a particular embodiment, the animal matter refers to processed meat.
  • processed meat refers to any meat which has been modified in order either to improve its taste or to extend its shelf life.
  • Methods of meat processing include salting, curing, fermentation, and smoking.
  • Processed meat is usually composed of pork or beef, but also poultry, while it can also contain offal or meat by-products such as blood.
  • Processed meat products include bacon, ham, sausages, salami, corned beef, jerky, canned meat and meat-based sauces.
  • processed meat also refers to modified meat as defined herein, from fish, such as for instance, surimi.
  • Meat processing includes all the processes that change fresh meat with the exception of simple mechanical processes such as cutting, grinding or mixing.
  • the processed meat comprises any of the meat from animals and/or fish indicated above. In a preferred embodiment, it refers to imitations of the meat obtained from any of said animals.
  • the coated food product is preferably a coated moulded food product, in which the ingredients have been processed (e.g. by chopping, shredding or grinding the ingredients). Coated moulded food products include burgers, kebabs and sausages. In preferred embodiments, the coated food product is a sausage, such as a meat sausage. Skinless meat sausages are particularly preferred.
  • the term “vegetables”, as used herein refers to the term commonly known by the expert in the field.
  • plant products include leaves, stems, flower, roots, seeds sprouts, pods, tubers, bulbs and combinations thereof.
  • Non-limiting examples of said plants include plants from the species Brassica oleracea, Brassica rapa, Raphanus sativus, Daucus carota, Pastinaca sativa, Beta vulgaris, lactuca sativa, Phaseolus vulgaris, Phaseolus coccineus, Phaseolus lunatus, Vicia faba, Pisum sativum, Solanum melongena, salanum lycopersicum, Cucumis sativus, Cucurbita spp., Allium cepa, Allium sativum, Allium ampeloprasum, Capsicum annuum, Spinacia oleracea, Dioscorea spp., Ipomoea batatas Manihot esculenta, or asparagus officinalis.
  • the vegetables are cooked.
  • the vegetable are raw.
  • the term refers to mashed, fresh and/or lyophilized vegetables.
  • cereal refers to the term commonly by an expert in the field. In particular, it refers to the edible content of the grain, or caryopsis, of specific grass.
  • Non-limiting examples of grass form which the cereals are obtained include grass form the species Zea mays, Oryza glaberrima, Oryza sativa, Hordeum vulgare , Eleusine coracana, Eragrostis tef, Panicum miliaceum, Panicum sumatrense, Pennisetum glaucum, Setaria italica, Digitaria exilis, Digitaria iburua, Digitaria compacta, Digitaria sanguinalis, Echinochloa esculenta, Echinochloa frumentacea, Echinochloa oryzoides, Echinochloa stagnina, Echinochloa crus-galli, Paspalum scrobiculatum, Brachiaria deflexa, Urochloa ramosa, Coix lacryma-jobi, Avena sativa, Secale cereale.
  • the cereals are cooked.
  • the cereals are raw.
  • the term refers to mashed, fresh and/or lyophilized cereals.
  • fruit refers to term commonly known by an expert in the field. In particular, it refers to the seed-associated structures of a plant that are sweet or sour, and edible in the raw state.
  • Non-limiting examples of fruit include apples, pears, bananas, grapes, lemons, oranges or strawberries.
  • the coated food product may be a raw, partially cooked or cooked food product.
  • the animal matter, vegetables, cereals, fruits or combinations thereof of the filling composition may be used in the filling composition in an amount of at least 20 % by weight, preferably at least 25 % by weight, and more preferably at least 30 % by weight of the filling composition.
  • Said edible products may be used in a total amount of up to 60 % by weight, preferably up to 50 % by weight, and more preferably up to 45 % by weight of the filling composition.
  • the filling composition may comprise animal matter, vegetables, cereals, fruits or combinations thereof in a total amount of from 20 to 60 % by weight, preferably from 25 to 50 % by weight, and more preferably from 30 to 45 % by weight of the filling composition.
  • the filling composition comprises animal matter in any of the aforementioned % by weight.
  • the filling composition comprises vegetables in any of the aforementioned % by weight.
  • the filling composition cereals in any of the aforementioned % by weight.
  • the filling composition comprises fruits in any of the aforementioned % by weight.
  • Water may be used in filling composition in an amount of at least 30 % by weight, preferably at least 35 % by weight, and more preferably at least 40 % by weight, by weight of the filling composition. Water may be used in an amount of up to 60 % by weight, preferably up to 55 % by weight, and more preferably up to 50 % by weight of the filling composition.
  • the filling composition may comprise water in an amount of from 30 to 60 % by weight, preferably from 35 to 55 % by weight, and more preferably from 40 to 50 % by weight of the filling composition.
  • the edible filling composition is as the filling composition defined in patent application GB2570934A.
  • the animal matter of said composition is as defined herein.
  • the filling composition is as defined in GB2570934 wherein the expression “animal matter”, is substituted by vegetables, cereals, fruits or combinations thereof, where said terms are as defined herein.
  • the filling composition comprises animal matter, water, protein extender, starch (modified and, if used, unmodified) and fibre in a combined total amount of at least 80 % by weight, preferably at least 90 % by weight, and more preferably at least 95 % by weight of the filling composition.
  • the filling composition comprise animal matter, vegetables, cereals, fruits or combinations thereof water, protein extender, starch (modified and, if used, unmodified) and fibre in a combined total amount of at least 80 % by weight, preferably at least 90 % by weight, and more preferably at least 95 % by weight of the filling composition.
  • the modified and unmodified starch, the protein extender and the fiber of the filling composition are as defined in GB2570934A.
  • the definitions and embodiments provided in any of the aspects above apply to the coated food product of the invention and to the first use of the invention. 6.
  • An eighth aspect relates to a packaged medical device wherein the device is packaged in a container which comprises a biomaterial of the first or third aspect of the invention. Said medical device is herein referred to as the medical device of the invention.
  • Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of a biomaterial of the first or third aspect of the invention for the packaging of a medical device.
  • medical device refers to any instrument, apparatus, appliance, material, or other article - whether used alone or in combination - to be used in a medical intervention, such as a surgical intervention, an exploration intervention, or a diagnosis test.
  • medical device refers to instruments that cause or can cause a trauma in a tissue of the subject being intervened, or that are placed within an organ or tissue of a subject, after surgery.
  • the medical device of the invention and referred in the second use of the invention is a surgical device.
  • the medical device of the invention and referred in the second use of the invention are prosthesis.
  • the medical device of the invention and referred in the second use of the invention is a catheter.
  • the term “surgical instrument”, or “surgical device”, as used herein, refers to a tool or device for performing specific actions or carrying out desired effects during a surgery or examination, such as modifying biological tissue, or to provide access for viewing it.
  • Non-limiting examples of surgical instruments include grasper (such as forceps), clamps and occluders, clamps and occluders for blood vessels, needle drivers or needle holders (used to hold suture needle while it is passed through tissue and to grasp suture while instrument knot tying), retractors (used to spread open skin, ribs and other tissue), distractors, positioners, stereotactic devices, scalpels, lancets, drill bits, rasps, trocars, ligasure, harmonic scalpel, surgical scissors, rongeurs, dilators and specula (for access to narrow passages or incisions), suction tips and tubes (for removal of bodily fluids), sealing devices (such as surgical staplers), irrigation and injection needles, tips and tubes (for introducing fluid), powered devices (such as drills, cranial drills and dermatomes), scopes and probes (including fiber optic endoscopes and tactile probes), carriers and appliers for optical, electronic, and mechanical devices, catheters, ultrasound tissue disruptors, cryo
  • prosthesis refers to an artificial device that replaces a missing body part, organ part or organ, which may be lost through trauma, disease, or a condition present at birth (congenital disorder). Prostheses are intended to restore the normal functions of the missing body part, organ or organ part. Insertion o the prosthesis may require surgery. Non-limiting examples of prosthesis include artificial heart valves, joint prosthesis, craniofacial prosthesis or limb prosthesis.
  • prosthesis refers to a thin tube made from medical grade materials that can be inserted in the body to treat diseases or perform a surgical procedure.
  • Catheters can be inserted into a body cavity, duct, or vessel. Functionally, they allow drainage, administration of fluids or gases, access by surgical instruments, and also perform a wide variety of other tasks depending on the type of catheter.
  • Catheters include urinary catheter, pigtail catheter, artery or vein catheter, peripheral venues catheter, central venous catheter, Swan-Ganz catheter, umbilical line, Quinton catheter, intrauterine catheter, Whiz Catheter, lumbar drainage catheter.
  • medical devices In order to reduce the risks of infection during or after a medical intervention, medical devices, and in particular surgical devices, have to be sterilized and maintained in a sterile atmosphere until use by physicians. For that purpose, they are packaged to be maintained in an isolated and sterile atmosphere while they are not being used by physicians, i.e. during transport to the hospital, or after sterilization after having been used in a previous medical intervention.
  • the expression “packaged in a container”, or “packaging” as used herein, refers to the fact that the medical device is comprised in a container that serves as a barrier for microorganisms, including bacteria, so that said microorganisms cannot enter in contact with the medical device. In a particular embodiment, said container is sealed.
  • the atmosphere in contact with the medical device is chemically and biologically stable and microorganisms in contact with the container cannot enter inside the container.
  • microorganism in contact with the container cannot enter in contact with the medical device.
  • about 100%, 90%, 80%, 07%, 60%, 05%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 2%, 1%, preferably about 100% of the material of the container where the medical device is packaged is the biomaterial of the invention.
  • any of the above % of the material of said container is of the biomaterial obtained by the method of the invention.
  • the biomaterial of the invention covers about 100%, 90%, 80%, 07%, 60%, 05%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 2%, 1%, preferably about 100% of the internal surface of the container in which the medical device is packaged.
  • the biomaterial obtained by the method of the invention covers about 100%, 90%, 80%, 07%, 60%, 05%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 2%, 1%, preferably about 100% of the internal surface of the container in which the medical device is packaged.
  • the biomaterial of the invention covers about 100%, 90%, 80%, 07%, 60%, 05%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 2%, 1%, preferably about 100% of the surface of the container directly in contact with the atmosphere that is in contact with the medical device.
  • the biomaterial obtained by the method of the invention covers about 100%, 90%, 80%, 07%, 60%, 05%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 2%, 1%, preferably about 100% of the surface of the container directly in contact with the atmosphere that is in contact with the medical device.
  • the biomaterial of the invention covers about 100%, 90%, 80%, 07%, 60%, 05%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 2%, 1%, preferably about 100% of the surface of the medical device.
  • the biomaterial obtained by the method of the invention covers about 100%, 90%, 80%, 07%, 60%, 05%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 2%, 1%, preferably about 100% of the surface of the medical device.
  • the biomaterial of the invention or obtained by the method of the invention comprised within the container wherein the medical device is packaged is of any of the shapes and sizes indicated for the biomaterial of the invention.
  • the container in which the medical device is packaged consists of the biomaterial of the invention.
  • Said container is as defined above and is characterized in that the material in which it is made is the biomaterial of the invention.
  • the second use of the invention is characterized in that the biomaterial is part of, or consists of, the container where the medical device is packaged, as described in any of the embodiments above.
  • the definitions and embodiments provided in any of the aspects above apply to the medical device of the invention and to the second use of the invention.
  • the term consists of, essentially consists of, and comprises are interchangeable in any embodiment of any aspect of the present invention.
  • the invention is described below by means of the following merely illustrative and non- limiting examples of the scope of the invention.
  • EXAMPLES Materials and methods Bacterial culture.
  • the lyophilized Acetobacter xylinum (ATCC 11142, Ax) was supplied by the Colecissus Espa ⁇ ola de Cultivos Tipo (CECT) and grown in Hestrin-Schramm agar (HS) (Schramm M. and Hestrin S. 1954, J. Gen. Microbiol., 11 123–129) at 30 oC.
  • Lactobacillus fermentum (Lf) and Lactobacillus gasseri (Lg) were kindly provided by Biosearch Life S.A and grown in de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) medium (Oxoid) at 37oC.
  • the material obtained after 3 days of culture is referred to as bacterial cellulose (BC).
  • BC can be obtained by performing the culture under static conditions, or under dynamic conditions at 180-200 rpm. Afterwards, HS medium was replaced by 5 mL of MRS and BC was incubated in an anaerobic atmosphere at 37oC for 48 hours (Fig. 4). The MRS medium was replaced after 24 hours. After 48 hours of culturing in MRS, probiotic- celluloses (Lf- and Lg-cellulose) were obtained. The same conditions were employed in the coculture of A. xylinum and B. breve. Because of B. breve is Cysteine-dependent, HS and MRS culture media were enriched with 5 ⁇ g/mL of Cys.
  • probiotic- celluloses were collected, washed with sterile saline solution and characterized. Gram staining. This staining protocol allows differentiating between two major bacterial groups, Gram- positive (stained purple) and Gram-negative (stained red) cells. Ax is a Gram-negative bacterium, whereas Lf and Lg are Gram-positive bacteria. After 1, 2 and 7 days of incubation in MRS, Lf-cellulose was dehydrated in gradient ethanol and washed with xylene (S. C. Becerra, et al., 2016, BMC Res. Notes, 9:1–10) . Then, the samples were embedded in paraffin and transversally cut in 4 ⁇ m sections using a microtome.
  • the samples were stained with osmium tetroxide (OsO4) solution (1 % v/v) for 2 hours in the dark, being then repeatedly rinsed with Milli-Q water to remove the excess of OsO4 solution. Samples were then dehydrated at room temperature with ethanol/water mixtures of 50%, 70%, 90% and 100% (v/v) for 20 min each, being the last concentration repeated three times and dried at the CO2 critical point. Finally, dehydrated samples were mounted on aluminum stubs using a carbon tape, sputtered with a thin carbon film, and analyzed using a FESEM (Zeiss SUPRA40V) of the Centre for Scientific Instrumentation (University of Granada, CIC-UGR).
  • FESEM Zeiss SUPRA40V
  • the size (width) distribution of each condition was obtained by measuring 100 fibres of different SEM micrographs with ImageJ software (version 1.48v; NIH, Bethesda, MD). Quantification of immobilized probiotics.
  • Probiotic cellulose (2 cm-diameter, 1.5 mm-thick) was digested with cellulase from Trichoderma reesei (No C2730-50ML, Sigma–Aldrich). For this purpose, each sample was immersed in 2 mL of enzyme solution (50 ⁇ L cellulase/mL potassium phosphate buffer, 50 mM, pH 6) and incubated at 37 oC for 1h, with orbital shaking (180 rpm) (Y. Hu, et al., 2011, Mater.
  • Bacteria viability of BC and probiotic celluloses was qualitatively assessed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM).
  • CLSM confocal laser scanning microscopy
  • the samples were washed with sterile saline solution and stained with LIVE/DEAD BacLight Bacterial Viability Kit (ThermoFisher) following manufacturer’s instructions.
  • This assay combines membrane-impermeable DNA-binding stain, i.e. propidium iodide (PI), with membrane-permeable DNA- binding counterstain, SYTO9, to stain dead and live and dead bacteria, respectively.
  • Cell viability along the BC matrix was evaluated with a confocal microscope (Nikon Eclipse Ti-E A1) equipped with 20x oil immersion objective.
  • probiotic cellulose samples were incubated in 100 mL of diluted MRS broth (1:10) in anaerobic conditions, at 37 oC and 180 rpm. At scheduled times (0, 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 20 h), 1mL-aliquot was collected, centrifuged (3000 g, 5 min) and filtered with a 0.2 ⁇ m filter to remove any residual bacteria. Then, 190 ⁇ L of the sample was mixed with 10 ⁇ L of POM solution (10 mM) on a 96-well and irradiated with UV light (365 nm) for 10 min. The absorbance at 820 nm was measured with a NanoQuant plate reader (Tecan). Data are expressed as mean of triplicates ⁇ standard deviations.
  • the plates were overlaid with 6 mL of 0.7% (w/v) of tryptic soy agar (TSA) at 45 oC, previously inoculated with 0.1 mL of an overnight culture of S. aureus or P. aeruginosa.
  • TSA tryptic soy agar
  • the plates were incubated 24 h at 30 oC and 37 oC, respectively, before examination of the corresponding inhibition zones.
  • antimicrobial activity of probiotic cellulose and non-encapsulated probiotics was evaluated by an agar diffusion assay (Khalid A., et al. 2017, Carbohydr. Polym.
  • agar diffusion assay was carried out as follow: 0.1 mL of an overnight culture of SA or PA was spread on TSA petri dishes. Then, Lf- and Lg-cellulose were placed on agar plates containing the selected bacterial strains and incubated 24 hours at pathogen optimal temperature (37oC for PA, and 30oC for SA) before examination of inhibition zones. In parallel, equivalent CFU of Lf and Lg was placed into the agar petri dish containing the pathogen, by using sterile cylinders.
  • Example 1 Production of probiotic cellulose
  • Probiotic cellulose was produced through an innovative and smart strategy. It was based on the fact that, whereas the cellulose-producing bacterium Acetobacter xylinum (Ax) is strictly aerobic, the probiotics Lactobacillus fermentum (Lf) and Lactobacillus gasseri (Lg) are facultative anaerobic. The two selected probiotics, have activity related to the prevention and/or treatment of infections. Lf is an immune-stimulant that strengthens the microbiota, and Lg has exhibited antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, one of the most common bacteria of chronic ulcers.
  • probiotic cellulose When passed to a strictly anaerobic medium (optimal for probiotics), the probiotics extensively proliferated and invaded the entire cellulose matrix to such an extent that FESEM micrographs of both faces were similar ( Figure 1G and Figure 2C,D). Under these latter conditions no evidences of reminiscent Ax were detected. Therefore, this material, probiotic cellulose, only contains probiotics, which are distributed throughout the cellulose network. Despite the high density of probiotics (Figure 1G), i.e., 1.4 ⁇ 1011 and 8.7 ⁇ 1010 CFU of Lf and Lg, respectively, per mg of cellulose, the entrapment did not affect the size of the cellulose nanofibres, which maintain diameters ranging between 20 and 90 nm ( Figure 3).
  • probiotic cellulose is produced by a one-pot synthesis, using mild conditions.
  • all previously reported bacterial cellulose and derivatives first required the isolation of pure BC by a long and quite expensive procedure, based on successive treatments with ethanol and NaOH (or KOH) at high temperatures, to eliminate any rest of cellulose-producing bacteria.
  • This is of paramount importance from an economical and environmental point of view for the industrial production.
  • the synthetic process of probiotic cellulose is environmentally safe and fulfill with the principles of green chemistry, in contrast with the highly exploited conventional production of BC. Similar results as those described in this example 1 were obtained when using B. breve instead of L. fermentum or L. gasseri (data not shown).
  • Example 2 Viability of entrapped probiotics Live/dead viability tests, based on the SYTO 9 - propidium iodide fluorescent dyes, demonstrated the viability of the entrapped probiotics (Fig. 4).
  • Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) image of the cellulose obtained after co-culture of Ax and Lf in aerobiosis contained a mixture of live bacteria with a high density of dead bacteria with fibrous (Ax) and short bacilliform (Lf) morphologies (Fig. 4A,B). Contrastingly, the probiotic cellulose showed an extremely high density of live probiotics, with very few dead bacteria (Fig. 4C,D).
  • probiotic celluloses showed extraordinary antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the two most active pathogens in severe skin infections. Furthermore, probiotic celluloses, in contrast to probiotics, exhibit antibacterial efficacy even in conditions that are favourable for pathogens and unfavourable for probiotics. Our smart strategy to produce probiotic cellulose can be extended to other facultative anaerobic probiotics and easily scaled for industrial production. In fact, the production of probiotic cellulose does not require the lengthy and quite expensive chemical treatments necessary to isolate bacterial cellulose. Probiotic cellulose is an antibiotic-free antibacterial agent with excellent practical application today, and tomorrow, in a hypothetical post-antibiotic era, where common infections and minor injuries could kill.
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